Virtual site visits - an emerging option for experiential quality assurance

Site visits are a valuable tool for experiential quality assurance. There is sparse literature regarding the use of a virtual modality for completion of site visits. This manuscript describes the experience of using of onsite and virtual site visits, including benefits and limitations of each approach, by two pharmacy experiential programs.

Each experiential program utilizes both virtual and onsite visits to assess site quality, provide preceptor development, and connect with sites and preceptors. Information gathered and documentation processes are similar for both institutions for both visit modalities. The two pharmacy institutions differ in size, geographical location, number of experiential sites, and experiential department structure.

Based on site evaluator feedback from the two institutions, both visit modalities achieved the goals of evaluating sites for quality, fostering relationships with preceptors, and affording opportunities to provide preceptor development. Positive features of virtual site visits were increased flexibility with scheduling, expanded participation and engagement, increased efficiency, and decreased cost. Drawbacks noted with virtual site visits were challenges touring the site, decreased ability to observe group dynamics and culture, and participant multi-tasking.

A virtual approach to completing experiential site visits achieved programmatic goals. Utilizing a combination of virtual and onsite visits may facilitate a customized approach to navigating the advantages and disadvantages of each modality.