Preceptor perspectives on disability-related accommodations in pharmacy experiential education

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards require reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities in an educational setting. There is limited information regarding preceptor experiences and perspectives associated with accommodations in the pharmacy experiential learning environment. This study examined preceptor experiences and viewpoints and explored opportunities for schools/colleges of pharmacy (S/COP) to provide support and education for preceptors when meeting access needs.

A collaborative team from seven S/COP experiential programs developed, pilot tested, and electronically distributed a questionnaire. The questionnaire collected information on preceptor demographics, experiences with disability-related accommodations, concerns and confidence in implementation, support from the academic institution, and additional needs. An open-ended question was analyzed using thematic analysis, and quantitative responses were described using descriptive statistics.

A total of 294 respondents consented to participate, met inclusion criteria, and submitted a questionnaire response (∼5 % response rate). Many respondents had not experienced requests for accommodation. The most common challenges related to implementation of accommodations were lack of clarity regarding the accommodation request (22 %) and uncertainty regarding how to apply the accommodation within the preceptor's practice (23 %). Most respondents (76 %) felt they would benefit from professional development in this area. Thematic analysis of free-text responses indicated a desire for resources, education, and for advanced notice when accommodation is needed.

While many preceptors may not have received requests for accommodation, opportunities exist for S/COP related to preceptor education, provision of resources, and transparent and proactive communication between the academic institution and the preceptor to support students with disabilities.

Requests for accommodations in the experiential education setting are an increasingly important topic for those involved in pharmacy experiential education, including directors, preceptors, and sites. The current body of literature published to date provides guidance, resources, strategies, and reviews of legal implications to consider when developing accommodations for experiential education. Additional literature provides insights from schools and colleges of pharmacy. However, there is limited information available regarding preceptor experiences and perspectives associated with accommodations in the pharmacy experiential learning environment. This manuscript outlines a study examining preceptor experiences and viewpoints. The results provide insight into preceptor perspectives as well as potential future opportunities for schools and colleges of pharmacy to support students with disabilities and implementation of accommodations.