Conflict between Pharmacy Preceptors and Pharmacy Learners in Experiential Education

The relationship between a preceptor and a learner is complex and can be prone to conflict. The issue of conflict in experiential education has been studied in medicine, nursing, social work, and education; however, conflict between pharmacy preceptors and learners has not been described.

To describe types of conflict between pharmacy preceptors and learners, the outcomes of such conflict, the impacts on the preceptor-learner relationship, and conflict-resolution strategies.

An anonymous electronic survey of pharmacist preceptors and pharmacy residents in British Columbia was conducted. The survey included various types of questions to enrich the quality of responses (e.g., Likert scale, ranking, and requests for comments). Descriptive statistics were used.

Forty-nine participants completed the survey from the preceptor's perspective, 12 from the learner's perspective, and 4 from both perspectives. Sixty percent of preceptors (32/53) and 75% of learners (12/16) admitted experiencing conflict. Preceptors (n = 27) cited the learner's professionalism (74%), knowledge/skills (59%), communication issues (59%), personal issues (56%), and punctuality/attendance (52%) as causes of conflict. Learners, however (n = 12), cited differing expectations (67%), teaching versus learning style preferences (50%), and communication issues (67%) as causes of conflict. The majority of preceptors and learners indicated that conflict had negatively affected the relationship; however, most preceptors (69% [18/26]) and learners (50% [6/12]) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "I have generally felt comfortable working with preceptors/learners after a conflict." More learners than preceptors felt that the learner's ability to perform was negatively affected by the conflict (92% [11/12] versus 52% [13/25]). Preceptors were more likely to take initiative to resolve conflict. Verbal communication was the method of conflict resolution preferred by both preceptors and learners. Most preceptors and learners indicated that they felt that conflicts were generally resolved.

Conflict was common in the pharmacy preceptor-learner relationship. Pharmacy preceptors and learners had different perspectives about the causes and outcomes of conflict.