Development of a Postgraduate Year 1 pharmacy residency program at a large teaching hospital

The development, implementation, and early evaluation of a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency program at a large tertiary care hospital are described.

In keeping with long-range initiatives by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and other pharmacy organizations to increase pharmacists' involvement in direct patient care and expand opportunities for advanced training, a PGY1 program was developed at Baystate Medical Center (BMC), a 653-bed hospital in Massachusetts. A residency advisory committee appointed in the fall of 2006 led the program development process, including curriculum planning, establishment of initial funding, recruitment procedures, and integration of faculty at an affiliated school of pharmacy (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences). Recruitment efforts began in the fall of 2006; in the summer of 2007 the first group of PGY1 residents began a curriculum of 12 one-month core and elective learning experiences, as well as longitudinal direct-care experiences (e.g., performing medication reconciliations and related duties at an affiliated outpatient pharmacotherapy clinic) and teaching and management requirements. In the spring of 2009, the residency program received ASHP accreditation and federal funding for program expansion. The residency advisory committee's evaluation of early experience with the program guided adjustments in areas such as recruitment, applicant screening, resident selection, preceptor scheduling, monitoring of residents' progress through the program, and accreditation survey preparation.

A PGY1 residency at BMC was developed to enhance the pharmacy department's clinical services. Residents were successfully recruited, and the program received accreditation within two years.