Residency-trained preceptors and the effect on community Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience activities

ObjectiveEvaluate differences in pharmacy-related activities and student independence in community advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) that were precepted by residency (RTPS)- versus non-residency-trained preceptors (NRTPS) using an electronic portfolio database.MethodsP4 students in the class of 2013 were grouped based on their community APPE at either a RTPS or an NRTPS. Students were required to document activities in an electronic portfolio. Documentation included the type of activity, who identified the need for the activity, and the perceived level of independence the student had in completing the activity. The types of activities were categorized as education, physical assessment, medication intervention, or medication clarification. The person identifying the need was categorized as student alone, student and preceptor, or preceptor alone. The level of independence was reported on a 4-point scale: 1—student required much help and 4—student completed independently.ResultsStudents reported an overall difference in types of activities at RTPS and NRTPS. The median level of independence was three at RTPS and four at NRTPS (p < 0.001). A greater percentage of students also reported identifying the need for the activity at NRTPS versus RTPS (54.1% versus 25.5%, respectively).ConclusionStudents may be exposed to different activities at community APPEs based on the residency training of preceptors. Experiential Directors should consider this when selecting sites to offer APPE to students.