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ASHP special interest group professional practice survey--1984
American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
|May 1, 1985
Summary
Most members of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) special interest groups (SIGs) express interest in specialized practice areas but do not spend the majority of their work time in these roles. This indicates a focus on professional development rather than direct patient care for many members.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Health Administration
- Professional Development
Background:
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) offers Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to foster professional development and specialization among pharmacists.
- Understanding the demographics and practice patterns of SIG enrollees is crucial for tailoring resources and support.
- Previous data on the specific professional activities and time allocation of SIG members was limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey the personal characteristics and professional practice patterns of ASHP SIG enrollees.
- To determine the extent to which SIG membership correlates with dedicated practice time in specialized areas.
- To identify the primary functions and work settings of pharmacists involved in ASHP SIGs.
Main Methods:
- A mail questionnaire survey was distributed to all 3595 ASHP SIG enrollees in early 1984.
- The survey included 23 items focusing on demographics, education, work setting, and time spent on various professional functions.
- A response rate of 64.7% was achieved, with data analyzed to identify trends in practice patterns.
Main Results:
- Respondents were predominantly male (73%) and aged 25–39 (two-thirds).
- A significant portion held multiple academic degrees (36%) or completed a pharmacy residency (30%).
- Most time was spent in community nonprofit (46%) or university teaching hospitals (22%). Key functions included administration (76%), education (69%), and drug distribution (60%).
- Crucially, only a small percentage (4%) spent over half their time in patient-oriented services, suggesting SIG enrollment reflects interest rather than extensive practice commitment.
Conclusions:
- ASHP SIG enrollees are typically highly educated pharmacists interested in specialized practice areas.
- Membership in SIGs often signifies an interest in a specialty, not necessarily a primary practice focus in that area.
- Findings suggest a need for ASHP to consider the diverse practice commitments of its members when developing SIG-related programming and resources.