Assessment of the First Annual Roadmap to a Pharmacy Residency Workshop by a Student Society of Health-Systems Pharmacy

Purpose. Only 10-15% of pharmacy students continue postgraduate training even though the pharmacy profession is recognizing the value of residency training. Various studies have evaluated the impact of professional development programs in regards to pharmacy residencies, resulting in a significant effect on students’ decisions to pursue a residency. Factors and barriers that attribute to students’ decisions to pursue a residency have been identified such as, family and financial commitments, previous job obligations, and lack of interest to invest further into their education. This study investigated the importance of a student-driven professional development workshop and evaluated the workshops influence on increasing student interest and motivation in regards 20 to pursuing a residency. Methods. In November 2008, a student society of health-systems pharmacy hosted a residency workshop and residency showcase. A 21-item questionnaire was distributed at the end of the workshop and a follow-up 23-item questionnaire was given to graduating pharmacy students to further evaluate the long-term effect the workshop had towards students’ decision in pursuing residency. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed to evaluate and compare results. Results. 132 students participated in the workshop, where most of them were in their third professional year (35%). Of those that participated, the workshop made no statistically significant difference in their pursuit of post-graduate training opportunities. Conclusion. The residency workshop did not influence student’s motivation to pursue a residency significantly. Based upon our analysis, future professional development programs may be modified to improve pharmacy student’s point of view and motivation in pursuing postgraduate training. Grants. The workshop was sponsored by the National American Society of Health System Pharmacists SEED Grant for $500 and Health Professions Division Grant for $3,800