Keywords
Residency; Longitudinal rotation; Pharmacotherapy; Alumni perspective
Abstract
Introduction: Pharmacy integration into a Family Medicine Residency (FMR) curriculum is beneficial to the professional development and education of medical residents. While pharmacist involvement in FMR programs is well-documented, the ideal means of incorporating pharmacotherapy education as a standardized component of a residency curriculum is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the need, impact, and best approach to incorporate pharmacy experiences into a FMR curriculum, while secondarily identifying the medication-related content medical residents preferred to be taught by pharmacists.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via online survey sent to alumni of the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center’s (SJRMC) FMR in order to assess their perception of the pharmacy curriculum within the residency program, which has been delivered in a variety of formats since its inception.
Results: Of 113 alumni invited to participate, 51 (41%) completed the survey. Developing a required, longitudinal pharmacy experience was well-received, as most alumni believed that it would improve patient care (98%), increase confidence in medication choices (100%), and increase retention of pharmaceutical knowledge (96%). Seventy-two percent believed pharmacotherapy rotations should be a required component of the FMR curriculum, with 96% preferring longitudinal exposure throughout the residency compared to a single month rotation. Finally, the subjects identified as most preferred for pharmacists to teach were quantified, with diabetes, hypertension, pain management, heart failure and anticoagulation cited most commonly.
Conclusions: The majority of FMR alumni believed a pharmacy experience should be a required component of the residency program and would prefer it be delivered longitudinally throughout the residency.
Citation
Evoy KE, Harsh KM, Langton EC, Lee GC, Battjes EN and Raber H. Medical Resident Alumni Perspectives Regarding Preferred Pharmacotherapy Rotation Format. SM J Fam Med. 2017; 1(1): 1004.