Practitioners' assessment of the externship experience: a retrospective analysis. Part I

This study examines the externship experience of participants in the first four years of Illinois' mandatory externship program. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to a sample of 300 pharmacists resulting in a 60 percent response rate. Analysis of the data suggest a generally positive attitude toward externship and this was especially true for more recent graduates. It was also found that preceptors were perceived as positive role models, that externship had only slightly positive impact on preparing the respondents for practice and their perceived development of self confidence, and had virtually no influence on their ultimate choice of practice environment. These findings hold important implications for future refinements of externship programs.