Revisions to iTOFT to Support Preceptor Evaluation of APPE Interprofessional Interactions

The validated 12-item individual Teamwork Observation and Feedback Tool (iTOFT) was implemented into required acute and ambulatory care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences to assess student performance on interprofessional teams, but received preceptor criticism. This evaluation identified barriers and facilitators to the iTOFT activity and proposed solutions to improve the activity.

Preceptors of required acute or ambulatory care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences who submitted at least 4 iTOFT evaluations were invited to participate in focus groups describing barriers and facilitators to completing the activity. Preceptors from each practice setting were asked to participate in 1-on-1 semistructured interviews. Focus group and interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify themes.

Four focus groups were conducted, 2 with acute care (n = 6) and 2 with ambulatory care preceptors (n = 9). Five preceptors participated in subsequent interviews. A total of 11 barriers were identified across 3 themes: difficulty finding appropriate experiences, difficulty using the iTOFT, and difficulty managing student expectations. Facilitators identified from interviews included discussions with peers, modifications to iTOFT items, incorporating multiple student observations, and setting student expectations. iTOFT items with high importance or concern were summed across preceptors.

A revised 4-item modified iTOFT was created specific to pharmacist use of the tool. Facilitators, such as setting student expectations, can be shared with preceptors. Pharmacy programs can create preceptor training using examples to facilitate familiarity with items and rating scales. Future directions include further validation of the 4-item modified iTOFT and assessing preceptor satisfaction with the updated tool.