Students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo are offering a series of free public webinars on healthcare in April and May. Under the guidance of Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (DKICP) associate professor and Pharmacy Practice Department chair Roy Goo, three webinars are set to be held, discussing STI protection, vaccine safety, and treatments for colds.
Professor Goo explained, “So just as healthcare, in general, is shifting its model of care to more remote contact, we are doing the same thing in education. We have to continue to fulfill the mission of our college to increase health literacy.”
The webinar Protecting Yourself From STI and Pregnancy by Knowing Your Rights and Options is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, at 12 pm (2200 GMT). The other webinars, The Truth About Vaccines and Relieving Cold Symptoms are set for Thursday, April 15 at 12 pm (2200 GMT) and Wednesday, May 12, 12 pm (2200 GMT).
The events are free to the public but registration is required for interested participants.
Informing the Public on Sensitive Topics
For Samantha Okubo, a third-year pharmacy student, conducting a webinar about sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention, is an important way to educate viewers about often sensitive topics, pointing them where they need to go for help and what to ask.
“I also want them to be aware of their confidentiality rights and their options for testing and treatment,” Okubo said.
In fall 2020, two DKICP students presented a COVID-19 webinar that quickly became popular. In turn, the college decided to host more webinars and add topics.
