Assessing experiential education factors contributing to a PGY1 residency match: Pharmacy residency program director and comparative student survey

Jennifer L. Prisco, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Philip M. Hritcko, University of Connecticut
Brett Feret, University of Rhode Island
Mark L. Yorra, Northeastern University
Noreen E. Todd, University of Saint Joseph
Kim Tanzer, Western New England University
Cathy Basile, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Kara Bonaceto, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Rita Morelli, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Nicole Carace, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Andrew Szumita, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Abstract

Objective: To compare and contrast experiential education perceptions of pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs) and doctor of pharmacy students in their last year of the curriculum for residency application considerations. Methods: The New England Regional Departments of Experiential Education (NERDEE) consortium developed a 17-question survey to assess residency factors, including those related to experiential education. The survey was dispersed to advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students from six colleges/schools of pharmacy and RPDs nationwide. Results: Students have different values on experiential preferences compared to RPDs. Sample findings include internal medicine and specialty clinical elective experiences prior to American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear were extremely important to important for students, while RPDs viewed these experiences as somewhat important at best (p < 0.02). The majority of RPDs (67%) have no APPE schedule preference, while most students (77%) feel that certain APPE schedules may influence acceptance into residency. Conclusion: Based on findings, information outlined can be used to dispel and/or validate common beliefs held by students regarding experiential factors that help or hinder a successful postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency match.