Assessment of Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Programs in Preparing Pharmacy Students for...

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Residency Training
• Experiential Learning

Background:

• Pharmacy residency programs are crucial for advanced clinical skill development.
• Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (LAPPE) offer extended, real-world training during pharmacy school.
• Assessing the impact of LAPPE on residency preparedness is essential for curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if completion of a LAPPE program during pharmacy school enhances postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) pharmacy residents' preparedness for residency training.
• To determine if LAPPE participation influences self-reported competency in key residency indicators.
• To assess the association between LAPPE and matching with a preferred residency program.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter, cross-sectional study surveyed 960 PGY-1 pharmacy residents.
• The survey assessed self-reported residency preparedness and clinical competencies.
• Residents were categorized based on prior participation in a LAPPE program.

Main Results:

• Residents with prior LAPPE participation reported significantly higher preparedness for residency (mean 6.18 vs 5.72 on a 7-point scale).
• LAPPE participants also demonstrated greater self-reported clinical knowledge and skills (mean 5.18 vs 4.95).
• Matching with a preferred residency program was similar between LAPPE participants and non-participants.

Conclusions:

• Completion of a LAPPE program positively impacts PGY-1 pharmacy residents' preparedness for residency.
• Prior LAPPE experience is associated with enhanced self-reported clinical knowledge and skills upon entering residency.
• LAPPE may be a valuable component of pharmacy education to better equip future residents.