Critical Care Pharmacist Market Perceptions: Comparison of Critical Care Program Directors and Directors of Pharmacy

Abstract

While hospital beds continue to decline as patients previously treated as inpatients are stabilized in ambulatory settings, the number of critical care beds available in the United States continues to rise. Growth in pharmacy student graduation, postgraduate year 2 critical care (PGY2 CC) residency programs, and positions has also increased. There is a perception that the critical care trained pharmacist market is saturated, yet this has not been evaluated since the rise in pharmacy graduates and residency programs. To describe the current perception of critical care residency program directors (CC RPDs) and directors of pharmacy (DOPs) on the critical care pharmacist job market and to evaluate critical care postresidency placement and anticipated changes in PGY2 CC programs. Two electronic surveys were distributed from October 2015 to November 2015 through Vizient/University HealthSystem Consortium, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Society of Critical Care Medicine, and American College of Clinical Pharmacy listservs to target 2 groups of respondents: CC RPDs and DOPs. Questions were based on the ASHP Pharmacy Forecast and the Pharmacy Workforce Center's Aggregate Demand Index and were intended to identify perceptions of the critical care market of the 2 groups. Of 116 CC RPDs, there were 66 respondents (56.9% response rate). Respondents have observed an increase in applicants; however, they do not anticipate increasing the number of positions in the next 5 years. The overall perception is that there is a balance in supply and demand in the critical care trained pharmacist market. A total of 82 DOPs responded to the survey. Turnover of critical care pharmacists within respondent organizations is expected to be low. Although a majority of DOPs plan to expand residency training positions, only 9% expect to increase positions in critical care PGY2 training. Overall, DOP respondents indicated a balance of supply and demand in the critical care trained pharmacist market. In comparing RPD and DOP perceptions of the demand for critical care pharmacists, DOPs perceived demand to be higher than RPDs (mean, 3.2 vs 2.8; = .032). Although there is a perception of the oversupply of critical care trained pharmacists, a survey of DOPs and CC RPDs found a market with positions available, rapid hiring, stable salaries, and plans for expanded hiring of critical care trained pharmacists.

Critical care pharmacy workforce: a 2020 re-evaluation of the UK deployment and characteristics

“…Unlike in the USA [ 34 ], the UK does not yet have a recognised critical care pharmacist training programme. The need for [ 35 ], and format of [ 9 ], an advanced-level training programme for critical care pharmacists has been identified, but national delivery and credentialling remains a challenge.…”

Internal medicine pharmacy residency programs: Residents' pursuit of post‐residency positions and job market perceptions

“…Two separate national survey studies described job market perceptions among RPDs and directors of pharmacy in PGY2 CC and EM residency programs, respectively. 8,9 Each clinical pharmacy specialty has its own job market that cannot be directly compared. The studies also reported post-residency job obtainment.…”

“…Our study differs from previous examples in its focus and survey audience. Two separate national survey studies described job market perceptions among RPDs and directors of pharmacy in PGY2 CC and EM residency programs, respectively 8,9 . Each clinical pharmacy specialty has its own job market that cannot be directly compared.…”

“…7 Two studies evaluated the job perspectives and trends for PGY2 critical care (CC) and emergency medicine (EM) pharmacy residency graduates. 8,9 One study showed that although PGY2 CC pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs) saw an increase in the applicant pool for their programs, RPDs did not expect an increase in the job market over the next 5 years. 8 Despite this, the perception of the CC pharmacy practice job market reflected a balance between supply and demand.…”

“…8,9 One study showed that although PGY2 CC pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs) saw an increase in the applicant pool for their programs, RPDs did not expect an increase in the job market over the next 5 years. 8 Despite this, the perception of the CC pharmacy practice job market reflected a balance between supply and demand. Another study evaluated PGY2 EM pharmacy RPDs' perceptions of the job market for their graduates and the results were similar to the previous study.…”