Surveying Support Opportunities in Pharmacy Residency Training (SUPPORT): A Cross-Sectional Analysis and Focus Group...

Pharmacy residents are at risk of burnout, which can affect their well-being and performance and reduce their sense of satisfaction. Support interventions, specifically peer support, mentorship, and connectedness, may help to alleviate stress and improve well-being.

To describe the current opportunities for and perceptions of support available to Canadian year 1 (Y1) pharmacy residents and to identify their interest in and desire for additional support opportunities.

A cross-sectional national online survey of Canadian Y1 residents from the 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24 residency years was conducted. A subset of survey respondents participated in an online focus group designed to further explore themes identified in the survey.

A total of 109 residents participated in the survey, and 7 participated in the focus group. Participants reported that support was available to them in the forms of mentorship (n = 99, 90.8%), wellness or self-care opportunities (n = 45, 41.3%), and peer connection (n = 94, 86.2%). Mentorship and peer connection were highly valued, yet just over half of participants reported being satisfied with the level of mentorship and peer connection they experienced. Identified opportunities for improvement included formalizing mentorship programs, with clear roles, protected time, intentional matching, and paid training for mentors; enhancing access to health and wellness resources; and designating site-based support for residents.

Mentorship and peer connection were the most commonly provided and highly valued supports for the Canadian Y1 pharmacy residents who participated in this study. Opportunities exist to enhance all forms of support offered to Y1 pharmacy residents, which ultimately may help to reduce resident burnout and improve resident well-being.