Ambulatory Care Training Within Postgraduate Year 2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency Programs

This study evaluates pediatric ambulatory care training opportunities for postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) pediatric pharmacy residents.

An online survey was disseminated to PGY2 pediatric pharmacy residency directors. The questions involved the number and type of pediatric ambulatory care rotations offered; number of preceptors who practice in pediatric ambulatory care; whether or not a pediatric ambulatory care rotation is a requirement of the program; length and format of the rotations; amount of time residents spend in the pediatric ambulatory care setting; and the resident's role during pediatric ambulatory care rotations.

The survey yielded an 85% response rate (n = 41/48). Most residency programs offer at least 1 pediatric ambulatory care rotation (n = 38; 93%), most of which are longitudinal experiences, and two thirds of programs require their resident(s) to complete a pediatric ambulatory care rotation (n = 27; 66%). These experiences involve a variety of specialty clinics, and residents assume diverse roles and responsibilities. Few programs offer residents the opportunity to practice under a collaborative drug therapy management agreement (n = 6; 15%) or develop new clinical services (n = 6; 15%). Most residency program directors (n = 39; 95%) reported that less than 25% of their residency graduates work in the pediatric ambulatory care setting.

Ambulatory care experiences in PGY2 pediatric pharmacy residency programs are diverse in number and scope. There is an opportunity to expand pediatric ambulatory care rotation offerings, particularly with respect to collaborative drug therapy management and the establishment of new clinical services.