Supporting pharmacy and faculty with weekly virtual professional development programming

To share a comprehensive professional development program created and maintained by faculty and staff at one public institution.

Weekly, virtual 75-min faculty and staff professional development sessions were offered to enhance skills, foster professional growth, explore emerging trends in education, and strengthen connections. Developed collaboratively by faculty and staff using a needs assessment survey, the program operates with minimal resources and no funding. Sessions cover a variety of topics and employ multiple discussion formats, including interprofessional dialogue and engagement with external stakeholders. Program outcomes were assessed via a survey conducted in July 2023 evaluating perceptions, learning, and application of content.

In total, 86 sessions were offered from October 2021 to May 2024. On average, 11 of 47 faculty and staff attended each session (23.4%). Topics included teaching (19.8%); wellness (19.8%); scholarship (17.4%); Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (17.4%); technology (10.5%); service (8.1%); and administrative topics (3.5%). Participants report high satisfaction, frequent learning, and practical value associated with the program, with 73.7% indicating they always or often learn something new. Additionally, 47.4% indicate they have implemented a strategy learned. Most would recommend these professional development sessions to a colleague (84.2%) and find the program valuable (78.9%). Participants report that the program allows them to connect with co-workers (89.5%).

The program demonstrates sustained attendance and high participant satisfaction. The program requires minimal time or resources and could be replicated by others.