Impact of a Residency Interest Group on Students Applying for Residency

Abstract

Objective. To determine the impact of a faculty-directed, residency interest group on the knowledge, confidence, and preparedness about residency-related topics of third-year (P3) and fourth-year (P4) pharmacy students. Design. Faculty members implemented residency interest group sessions on residency and career preparation for P3 and P4 students. Group meetings consisted of four 2-to 3-hour sessions that covered topics such as residency timeline and resources, letter of intent and CV development, proper interview techniques, and navigating the midyear clinical meeting. Residency directors throughout Mississippi, current pharmacy residents, P3 and P4 students, and other faculty members were invited to attend these sessions. Assessment. Surveys were administered prior to and after completion of the interest group sessions. Students who attended the sessions demonstrated increased knowledge, confidence, and preparedness on residency-related topics. However, non-attendees also demonstrated increased knowledge, confidence, and preparedness from baseline. Conclusion. The majority of students who accepted a residency position had attended at least 1 residency interest group session, suggesting this program had a positive influence.

Factors Influencing Fourth-Year Pharmacy Students’ Decisions to Pursue a Hospital Pharmacy Residency

“…11,13,14 The current survey indicated that although feeling uninformed about residency was not considered an important barrier overall, there was still 1 student out of every 5 who felt uninformed. At the Université de Montréal, a general information session is presented every year to inform students about all potential career paths in pharmacy.…”

“…Data on such factors are available for the United States. [10][11][12][13][14] However, in Canada, such an evaluation has not been performed. Therefore, a survey was designed and conducted to identify motivators and barriers influencing fourth-year pharmacy students in their decision of whether to pursue hospital pharmacy residency training.…”

Impact of an oncology pharmacy elective course on guiding Doctor of Pharmacy students toward specializing in oncology pharmacy

“…Similar results of gained interest have also been observed in students taking part in discussion groups organized to converse about the requirements, process, and career opportunities offered by post-graduate residency programs. 21 The benefits of exposing students to opportunities within a health care profession are not limited to pharmacy, as Deutsch et al 22 observed that first-and second-year medical students who took part in a short preparatory course and experiential community-based family practice elective gained a more favorable perception of the specialty and were positively influenced in their career specialty choice. These reports document student flexibility in their career pathways as they progress through pharmacy or medical school.…”

Preparing Students to Enter the Race for Postgraduate Training

“…Six programs included in this review were published as independent publications. [5][6][7][8][9][10] A perception survey was the most commonly used tool to measure the impact of preparation programs. Five of 6 programs surveyed all student participants (range of 66-211 students), while 1 program specifically addressed students who are interested in residency programs (n ¼ 28).…”

“…Additionally, the mock interviews were conducted with a minimum of 2 interviewers in a room, similar to what prospective applicants may encounter when they interview for residency/fellowship positions. The panel discussion aspect of our workshop series included a residency program director, resident alumni, 9 (2011-2012)…”