Survey of faculty workload and operational characteristics for academic drug information centers

A survey of drug information specialists from academic drug information centers in the United States was conducted to identify faculty workload, operational characteristics of the center, and contribution of those faculty and centers to pharmacy education.

A 32-item survey was administered to drug information specialists and pharmacy college/school deans. Faculty workload items included age, credentials, training, and responsibilities. Center operational items identified clients, number of requests, staffing structure, and funding source. Pharmacy education items included number and type of students training at the center as well as drug information's role in the curriculum. Participants were also asked to identify recent and anticipated changes as well as predict future challenges for academic drug information centers.

The survey achieved a response rate of 81% from eligible institutions. The typical drug information specialist is between 31 and 50 years old, in a clinical track faculty position, and has an average of 13 years of drug information experience. Academic drug information centers are generally funded by the institution, open five days a week, and serve a variety of clients including the lay public. The average drug information specialist teaches one didactic course and is a preceptor for 17 advanced practice experience students, and 15 introductory practice experience students.

Drug information specialists and centers play an important role in pharmacy education. Results of this survey could assist in the creation of benchmarks for academic drug information faculty and centers in terms of workload, resource allocation, and promotion.