Pharmacy resident research: Improving publication potential and simultaneously identifying intangible gains in the process

Pharmacy residency projects are a required component of the training program for achievement of the resident learning system goals and objectives. Many residents and residency preceptors have minimal or no prior formal research training, and completion of a research project in the confines of a one-year residency program can be onerous. New residency standards grant some flexibility with projects targeting improved patient care or medication use systems. Some strategies such as a residency research team, have demonstrated a greater rate of successful completion and publication of the research project. Additionally, we describe some of the intangible gains that can be acquired through conduct of the residency research project. Through one pharmacy resident's personal experience, we highlight two of these intangible gains: an appreciation for interprofessional collaboration and contribution to quality improvement of a clinical practice.