Survey of Health-System Pharmacy Leadership Pathways: A 10-Year Revisit

To compare health-system pharmacy leadership pathways and opinions in the last decade.

A 33 question survey was recreated from the 2009 survey of health-system pharmacy leadership pathways and reviewed and modified by the original creators. In November 2019, investigators sent two invites to complete a Qualtrics^XM survey to individuals listed on the ASHP Connect Pharmacy Practice Leaders listserver. The survey closed on December 15, 2019.

Two-hundred-thirteen pharmacy leaders responded to the survey. Survey respondents identified completing a pharmacy practice (PGY1) residency as the most common health-system pharmacy leadership pathway. Respondents stated on-the-job experience contributed most to their leadership development. Interpersonal skills (20%), human resource management (19%), and finance and budget management (13%) were classified as the most valuable skill-sets to a health-systems leader. Thirty-nine percent of eligible respondents stated they were interested in seeking a health-system pharmacy director position and 23% stated they may be interested. The majority of directors stated that they preferred to hire those with previous on-the job experience into leadership positions.

Regardless of leadership pathway, those interested in pursuing health-system pharmacy leadership positions should pursue as much on-the-job experience as possible, build relationships through networking, and find a strong, helpful mentor.