Characterizing the Perceived Need for Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Training in British Columbia

Currently in Canada there are limited opportunities for advanced clinical pharmacy training after a year 1 residency. Advanced training programs currently in existence are year 2 residencies, clinical Master's degrees, and Fellowships.

To characterize the perceived need for advanced clinical pharmacy training in British Columbia and to determine the desired educational competencies to be gained through advanced training.

Current pharmacy residents (academic year 2021/22) and residency graduates of the past 5 years (2017-2021), together referred to as early career pharmacists or ECPs, were surveyed. Provincial health authority pharmacy leaders who hire clinical pharmacists were also surveyed and invited to participate in key informant interviews.

Eighty-four ECPs and 22 pharmacy leaders participated in the surveys (estimated response rates 26% and 35%, respectively). Eleven (13%) of the ECPs had already completed advanced clinical training, and an additional 24 (29%) planned to pursue such training within 5 years. Sixteen (73%) of the pharmacy leaders had experienced difficulties in filling advanced practice positions over the previous 3 years due to a lack of qualified applicants, and 21 (95%) believed that more advanced training positions should be offered. The majority of ECPs interested in advanced training (39/60, 65%) chose year 2 residency as their preferred program, and 20 (91%) of the pharmacy leaders agreed that British Columbia should offer year 2 residencies. Both ECPs and leaders rated clinical skills and knowledge as the most important educational competencies.

Pharmacy leaders expressed a need for more pharmacists with advanced clinical pharmacy training, and many ECPs were interested in pursuing such advanced training. Most respondents preferred the year 2 residency, with the most common goal being to improve clinical competencies.