Factors Associated With Students’ Perception of Preceptor Excellence

Abstract

Objectives. To identify factors associated with preceptor excellence as rated by student pharmacists and to assess the correlation of excellent ratings with years as pharmacist, specialty certification, and faculty appointment status. Methods. A retrospective analysis of student pharmacist evaluations of preceptors from May 2009 to May 2012 was completed to determine factors associated with preceptor excellence. Results. Preceptors who showed an interest in teaching, related to the student as an individual, encouraged discussion, were accessible, provided feedback, served as a role model, were organized, and/ or spent increased time with students were more likely to be rated excellent. Conclusion. Serving as role models and showing an interest in teaching demonstrated the strongest association with being an excellent preceptor. Identifying factors students associate with preceptor excellence may result in enhanced preceptor recruitment, development, and training.

Student-Valued Measurable Teaching Behaviors of Award-Winning Pharmacy Preceptors

“…37 One characteristic identified by Young and colleagues, serving as a role model, is broken down into separate behaviors characterizing good role models in our study. Relating to the student as an individual, the characteristic most highly associated with excellent preceptors in the study by Young and colleagues, was not detected as a separate theme in our study.…”

“…37 Some studies of medical preceptors also show that feedback is not as commonly remarked upon in student evaluations as other attributes. 10,23 It may be that lack of feedback is highly recognized by students, but sufficient feedback is expected and less likely to be singled out for commentary.…”

“…37 Perhaps students consider most preceptors to be knowledgeable, scoring them similarly in this behavior, but are more likely to comment upon knowledge exhibited by exemplary teachers in an open-text comment. This concept is consistent with thematic analysis of journal entries made by medical students during practice experiences, 38 where the most frequent preceptor behavior theme was "demonstrates professional expertise.…”

“…37 Student Likert-scale agreement rankings of 14 different precepting characteristics were examined for frequency of occurrence in excellent preceptors relative to other preceptors. Excellent precepting was most highly associated with 4 characteristics: relating to the student as an individual, showing interest in teaching, encouraging students to actively participate in discussion and problem-solving exercises, and serving as a role model.…”

Report of the 2014-2015 Professional Affairs Standing Committee: Producing Practice-Ready Pharmacy Graduates in an Era of Value-Based Health Care

“…In addition to the knowledge and skill requirements to be technically sound, development of mentoring, role-modeling and teaching behaviors are important to develop for the student pharmacist to perceive the preceptor as excellent. 88 There are multiple complexities to providing interprofessional education opportunities within the health care environment. Colleges/Schools of pharmacy must provide a leadership role in supporting the growth and development if patient-centered, collaborative models of care delivery.…”