Postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency director perceptions of elective courses about residency training

There are few research articles that give college faculty insight into how pharmacy residency programs evaluate applicants, and there is no data to indicate how residency program directors (RPDs) view pharmacy residency elective courses when evaluating applicants' transcripts. This study sought to describe post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) RPD perceptions of pharmacy residency electives.

An online, 8-item survey was distributed to 1335 PGY1 RPDs, identified through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Online Residency Directory.

Two hundred thirty-two residency program directors participated in the survey. The majority of respondents (68.1%) stated that a residency elective would not change their perception of candidates, though 75.9% agreed that a residency elective is beneficial to the student and 53% responded that the elective would be beneficial to the residency program. Time management and research skills were the topics that were most often recommended to be included in such courses.

Overall, responses were favorable toward pharmacy residency electives, though most stated completion of such a course would not change their assessment of candidates. These courses could be most beneficial if they include development in skills necessary for successful residency training.