Evaluating the APhA Foundation Incentive Grants Program: Perceptions from residency program

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation Incentive Grants Program provides financial support for practice-based research projects designed to enhance the health outcomes of patients. Incentive grants have been a staiting point for many pharmacists, residents, and students to develop a passion for innovative patient care.

To evaluate residency program directors' (RPDs) perception of the Incentive Grants Program, the perceived value of program facilitation, and impact of the program on practice sites.

RPDs from Incentive Grant-funded programs participated in a 16-item survey and follow-up focus groups where they responded to questions related to their programs, their residents, program-related publications, impact of the program, and perceptions of the program and experience.

Twenty-five RPDs completed the survey and 9 participated in focus groups. Findings included that 95.7% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Incentive Grants program is valuable to community-based practice, and agreement that residents benefit from Incentive Grants. Some areas of improvement for the Incentive Grants program were identified, including a need to refine the scoring rubric for applications to more heavily weigh feasibility, communication from APhA foundation coordinators to RPDs and residents, and expectations related to publications.

The Incentive Grants program is positively perceived by RPDs and can be improved by streamlining communication and administration of the program. The program-funded projects are valuable to community-based practice and the grants themselves may benefit trainees more than broadly impacting practice.