Pharmaceutical services in family practice medical residency training programs

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Pharmacy Practice
• Family Medicine

Background:

• Family practice residency programs are crucial for training future physicians.
• The role of pharmacists in interprofessional healthcare teams is expanding.
• Understanding pharmacist integration in residency training is essential for optimizing patient care and education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent and nature of pharmacist involvement in U.S. family practice medical residency training programs.
• To identify the types of services provided by pharmacists within these programs.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of 386 approved family practice residency programs was conducted.
• Department chairmen identified pharmacists, who then received a 46-item questionnaire.
• Follow-up mailings and telephone calls were used to maximize response rates.

Main Results:

• Only 18% of programs reported having at least one pharmacist.
• Of surveyed pharmacists, 78% responded, with 49 actively involved in programs.
• Pharmacists typically held academic appointments and advanced degrees.
• 37% provided drug-distribution services, while 100% offered clinical services.
• 92% provided educational services, and 74% participated in research.

Conclusions:

• A small proportion of family practice residency centers employ pharmacists.
• Centers with pharmacists offer a broad spectrum of distributive, clinical, educational, and research services.
• Increased pharmacist integration could enhance residency training and patient care.