Determining the utility of a student survey to provide valuable feedback on precepting skills of pharmacy residents

PurposeAmerican Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) defines pharmacy resident growth as preceptors as an objective for ASHP-accredited pharmacy residencies. ASHP recognizes instructing, modeling, coaching, and facilitating as precepting roles necessary for effective teaching. Currently, there is no standard, validated tool for pharmacy resident–preceptor evaluations. Student evaluations meet ASHP requirements for evaluating preceptor effectiveness. The purpose of this pilot study was to implement a process for utilizing student evaluations in developing and evaluating pharmacy residents as preceptors.MethodsPharmacy students that completed advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) during 2010–2011 with pharmacy resident co-preceptors were included. SurveyMonkey™ links were provided to evaluate residents as co-preceptors for the APPE. Residents’ evaluations were summarized and reviewed with them; residents were asked to complete resident response surveys and develop precepting strategies from the feedback.ResultsA total of 23 pharmacy student evaluations were completed for eight pharmacy residents, and eight residents completed the response survey. No residents received negative evaluations. All residents were recommended by the students to be future preceptors. Overall, 86% of the residents indicated the feedback was useful for preceptor growth and development. The students and residents mostly agreed on their abilities regarding modeling and coaching; their responses differed slightly regarding instructing and facilitating. Residents developed several tools to utilize for future precepting responsibilities and development based on their feedback. Preceptor training is noted as a desirable option.ConclusionPharmacy student evaluation of pharmacy residents may be an effective method for obtaining feedback for residents on their precepting skills to foster preceptor development.