The preceptor-learner care process: Applying person-centered thinking in pharmacy education

Preceptors are essential partners in pharmacy education, supporting experiential learning that represents approximately 25-33% of pharmacy curricula and a substantial portion of residency training experiences. Effective interactions between preceptors and learners are essential for learner success; however, many preceptors lack formal training in providing support and addressing learners' holistic needs, including professional development and well-being. The Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners' Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP), updated in 2025, offers a standardized approach to patient care delivery in any setting. This manuscript proposes a novel. Preceptor-Learner Care Process (PLCP), adapted from the PPCP framework, as a standardized, structured, and repeatable framework to guide the preceptor-learner relationship in experiential education and to support intentional learner development. The PLCP provides preceptors a systematic approach to collect, assess, plan, implement, and follow-up on learner-specific challenges or opportunities. This framework integrates clinical skills, professionalism, communication, emotional intelligence, and situational and self-awareness enabling preceptors to provide consistent and individualized approaches to learner-specific development.