Objective. To determine graduate and postgraduate students' perceptions of a drug use management and policy program that applied wide-ranging policy research skills to inform pharmaceutical decision-making. Design. Nine cohorts of graduate and postgraduate students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds were paired with health-system preceptors for 4 months, and supported by faculty advisors and administrators, to complete research projects that generated evidence to inform policy decisions. Assessment. A self-administered survey instrument was sent to all alumni of the program over the previous 10 years. The majority of respondents indicated: their prior academic coursework could be applied to everyday life; service-learning projects complemented university programs; participation led to greater awareness of decision-makers' needs and appreciation of their tacit knowledge; and communication abilities were enhanced with decision-makers, and academics. Many also reported personal desire to fulfill healthcare-system research needs; personal belief in their ability to make a difference; and increased postgraduation marketability. Conclusion. A drug use management and policy program allowed graduate students from various disciplines to develop new skills and collaborate with experts to produce research evidence that was relevant to drug policy that addressed real-world problems.

Objectives. To establish, implement, and evaluate a drug use management and policy residency program within the context of a service-learning framework. Design. Residents completed a 4-month term in which they were paired with a preceptor (health care manager or policy analyst) to complete a project designed to assist their work and to provide the resident with an understanding of policy formulation related to pharmaceuticals. Assessment. A formative evaluation of the first 2 years of the residency was conducted using semistructured interviews with key stakeholders and an examination of program documents. Recurring themes were identified and a set of ''lessons learned'' was generated. Conclusion. The Drug Use Management and Policy Residency Program adhered to service learning tenets and was a practical educational experience for residents.

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