Attitudes among Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacists toward postgraduate education and training

The results of a survey of the attitudes of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacists toward postgraduate education and training are reported. In January 1990 an anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 800 randomly selected VA pharmacists. The mailing occurred one month after the announcement of new policies for recruiting and retaining VA pharmacists that allow salaries to be determined on the basis of education, job responsibilities, publishing, and other professional activities and accomplishments. Recipients were asked to provide educational and demographic data, information on their work settings and job responsibilities, and their perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to additional education and training. Of the 800 questionnaires mailed, 310 (38.8%) usable responses were received. The majority (77%) of the pharmacists held B.S. degrees only. One-day to one-week training programs had been attended by 74.5% of the respondents; at least 61.6% desired to attend such programs, and many indicated the desire to attend longer training programs. Some 48.3% of the B.S.-level pharmacists had expressed an interest in earning another pharmacy-related degree. More than 40% of the respondents saw time, money, and the location of programs as barriers. Perceived benefits included personal development, enhanced job satisfaction, and improved patient care; only 1.9% perceived no benefit. Seventy-seven percent believed that salary should reflect the level of professional training. VA pharmacists desire additional education and training and believe that such programs may enhance patient care and reduce staff turnover.