Pharmacist perceptions of and views on postgraduate year 3 training

To determine the attitudes and perceptions of pharmacy residency program participants regarding proposed expansion of postgraduate year 3 (PGY3) residency training opportunities.

An online questionnaire was emailed to all directors of ASHP-accredited residency programs with a request to distribute the survey among program participants, including residents, preceptors, coordinators, and other pharmacists working with residents. Survey questions assessed participants' views and attitudes about PGY3 programs vs other avenues of career advancement, including potential benefits and limitations, program structure, and ramifications for the profession.

Eight hundred forty-five individuals participated in the survey, for a 22.47% response rate. Only 288 pharmacists (34.4%) were familiar with the PGY3 residency training concept. Perceived benefits of PGY3 training, by percentage of respondents citing them, included job specialization (34.41%), an additional year of training (19.93%), and obtaining research skills (5.44%). The main perceived limiting factors included personal finances (21.62%), lack of justification for PGY3 training (13.83%), and time commitments (12.94%). As alternatives to PGY3 training for career advancement, board certifications (49.5%), scholarly activity (19.8%), and leadership in pharmacy organizations (19.2%) were the 3 highest-rated areas. A majority of respondents were opposed to ASHP standardization of PGY3 residency programs (74.3%) and/or had negative preconceptions of the potential impact of expanded PGY3 training initiatives on the job market (80.94%).

Overall, surveyed pharmacy residency program participants were opposed to the concept of expanded PGY3 training initiatives and indicated their view that PGY3 training offers limited benefits in terms of professional development. Participants favored on-the-job training and other avenues of career advancement over PGY3 residency training.