National Survey of Volunteer Pharmacy Preceptors

Abstract

Objectives. To survey pharmacy preceptors regarding experiential education and determine the implications of the findings on colleges and schools of pharmacy.Methods. An online survey was sent to 4,396 experiential sites. The survey instrument consisted of 41 questions regarding the experiential education environment from the preceptor's perspective (eg, experiential load, time-quality issues, compensation, etc). Results. One thousand one hundred sixty-three preceptors responded (26.5%) to the survey. Concerning experiential load, 73% took 2 or more students in the past year and almost half of the sites had to turn placements away. Nearly all preceptors felt that the more time they spent with students, the higher quality the experience, and 20% felt they didn't have enough time to provide a quality experience. Thirty-six percent of respondents chose monetary stipend as the form of compensation they valued most. Conclusions. This study provides insights into the issues that concern volunteer preceptors and the findings could be used to enhance the quality of experiential education in pharmacy.

A Qualitative Analysis of Common Concerns about Challenges Facing Pharmacy Experiential Education Programs

“…15 Such corroborating results help validate our analysis. [17][18] The themes raised here are legitimate concerns that must be addressed as EE moves forward.…”

“…Additional insights from pharmacy preceptors about EE were reported in 2008 and 2013. 17,18 Concerns from hospital pharmacists regarding capacity for placements in the hospital setting have also been published in the past 10 years. [19][20][21] However, few reports have been published about what faculty members and staff directly administering EE programs perceive as concerns.…”

Web-based Portfolios for Pharmaceutical Care Plans During Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

“…In fact, pharmacy staff workload and the shortage of pharmacists have been documented as impacting experiential preceptors. 8,9 Through the use of a Web-based patient care portfolio system, students demonstrated pharmaceutical care skills under the guidance of pharmacy practitioners. These activities were documented and transmitted to experiential faculty using our experiential education database to provide student/faculty interaction and ongoing monitoring of student progress by faculty members, and to stimulate active learning.…”

“…Several of the most frequently selected disease states are represented in the core disease states of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Professional Affairs Committee. 8 These include diabetes mellitus, oncology, hypertension, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. Many patient care portfolios documented therapeutic interventions (Table 5).…”

Report of the 2011-2012 AACP Professional Affairs Committee: Addressing the Teaching Excellence of Volunteer Pharmacy Preceptors

“…Prior to an in-person meeting of the committee, pertinent background information and resource materials were distributed and the sharing of initial methods to address the committee charges was encouraged. Committee members met for a day and a half in Crystal City, Virginia on October [6][7]2011 to discuss the various facets related to this issue as well as to develop a process for addressing the charge. Following the process development and delegation of assignments related to the committee charges, the Committee communicated via a series of conference calls and electronic communications as well through personal exchanges via telephone and email.…”