講演情報
[SY6-5]Enhancing English Communication Skills for Pharmacists in Medication Counseling
木村 じゅりあ (武庫川女子大学薬学部 准教授)
As the number of international visitors and foreign residents in Japan increases, community pharmacists are more frequently required to communicate with patients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Although AI-based interpretation tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, pharmacists still need the ability to demonstrate empathy, gather essential information, clearly explain medication use, and confirm patients’ understanding. Effective communication remains a critical component of patient safety and quality pharmaceutical care.
In this talk, we will explore practical communication skills that pharmacists need in everyday medication counseling. In many cases, English required is based on what Japanese learners have already encountered during secondary education. The challenge is not learning an entirely new language but developing confidence and strategies to use existing knowledge effectively in healthcare settings.
Pharmacists should also recognize that many international patients are neither native nor regular users of English. Effective medication counseling therefore requires a flexible combination of simple English, easy-to-understand Japanese, visual aids, gestures, translation technologies, and comprehension checks. The goal is not linguistic perfection but safe, patient-centered communication.
Drawing on experiences in pharmacy English education, the presenter will introduce strategies emphasizing clarity, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and patient-centred interaction. I argue that pharmacists should develop confidence to use English they already know while also considering when easy-to-understand Japanese may be more effective.
Finally, we consider implications for pharmacy education in Japan, arguing that communication training should move beyond native-like English proficiency toward multilingual strategies that prepare future pharmacists to provide safe, inclusive, and effective healthcare in an increasingly global society.
【略歴】
2011年 テンプル大学大学院 教育学研究科 TESOL専攻 修士課程 修了（教育学修士）
2022年 テンプル大学大学院 教育学研究科 応用言語学専攻 博士課程 修了（博士）
2015年 武庫川女子大学薬学部 非常勤講師
2021年 武庫川女子大学薬学部 専任講師
2025年 武庫川女子大学薬学部 准教授
In this talk, we will explore practical communication skills that pharmacists need in everyday medication counseling. In many cases, English required is based on what Japanese learners have already encountered during secondary education. The challenge is not learning an entirely new language but developing confidence and strategies to use existing knowledge effectively in healthcare settings.
Pharmacists should also recognize that many international patients are neither native nor regular users of English. Effective medication counseling therefore requires a flexible combination of simple English, easy-to-understand Japanese, visual aids, gestures, translation technologies, and comprehension checks. The goal is not linguistic perfection but safe, patient-centered communication.
Drawing on experiences in pharmacy English education, the presenter will introduce strategies emphasizing clarity, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and patient-centred interaction. I argue that pharmacists should develop confidence to use English they already know while also considering when easy-to-understand Japanese may be more effective.
Finally, we consider implications for pharmacy education in Japan, arguing that communication training should move beyond native-like English proficiency toward multilingual strategies that prepare future pharmacists to provide safe, inclusive, and effective healthcare in an increasingly global society.
【略歴】
2011年 テンプル大学大学院 教育学研究科 TESOL専攻 修士課程 修了（教育学修士）
2022年 テンプル大学大学院 教育学研究科 応用言語学専攻 博士課程 修了（博士）
2015年 武庫川女子大学薬学部 非常勤講師
2021年 武庫川女子大学薬学部 専任講師
2025年 武庫川女子大学薬学部 准教授
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