Defining and implementing a model for pharmacy resident research projects

Main Article Content

Travis B. Dick
Krystal L. Moorman
Elyse A. MacDonald
Alissa A. Raines
Kathryn D. Mathews Cox

Keywords

Pharmacy Residencies, Research, Education, Pharmacy, Graduate, Specialization, United States

Abstract

Objective: To describe a standard approach to provide a support structure for pharmacy resident research that emphasizes self-identification of a residency research project.

Methods: A subcommittee of the residency advisory committee was formed at our institution. The committee was initially comprised of 2 clinical pharmacy specialists, 1 drug information pharmacist, and 2 pharmacy administrators. The committee developed research guidelines that are distributed to residents prior to the residency start that detail the research process, important deadlines, and available resources. Instructions for institutional review board (IRB) training and deadlines for various assignments and presentations throughout the residency year are clearly defined. Residents conceive their own research project and emphasis is placed on completing assignments early in the residency year.

Results: In the 4 years this research process has been in place, 15 of 16 (94%) residents successfully identified their own research question. All 15 residents submitted a complete research protocol to the IRB by the August deadline. Four residents have presented the results of their research at multi-disciplinary national professional meetings and 1 has published a manuscript. Feedback from outgoing residents has been positive overall and their perceptions of their research projects and the process are positive.

Conclusion: Pharmacy residents selecting their own research projects for their residency year is a feasible alternative to assigning or providing lists of research projects from which to select a project.

Abstract 1731 | PDF Downloads 1423

References

1. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. PPMI: Pharmacy Practice Model Initiative. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. http://www.ashpmedia.org/ppmi/overview.html (Accessed August 10, 2014).

2. Zellmer WA. Pharmacy's future: Transformation, diffusion, and imagination. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010;67(14):1199-1204. doi: 10.2146/ajhp090539

3. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Required and Elective Educational Outcomes, Goals, Objectives, and Instructional Objectives for Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Pharmacy Residency Programs. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/Accreditation/Regulations-Standards/RTPPGY1GoalsObjectives.aspx (Accessed April 20, 2014).

4. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Guidance Document for Required Competency Areas, Goals, Objectives, and Objectives for Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Pharmacy Residencies. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/Accreditation/Regulations-Standards/Newly-Approved-Required-Competency-Areas-Goals-and-Objectives.pdf (Accessed June 19, 2015).

5. Baker JW, Bean J, Benge C, McFarland MS. Designing a resident research program. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2014;71(7):592-598. doi: 10.2146/ajhp130318

6. Barletta JF. Conducting a successful residency research project. Am J Pharm Educ. 2008;72(4):92.

7. Irwin AN, Olson KL, Joline BR, Witt DM, Patel RJ. Challenges to publishing pharmacy resident research projects from the perspectives of residency program directors and residents. Pharm Pract (Granada). 2013;11(3):166-172

8. Olson KL, Holmes M, Dang C, Patel RJ, Witt DM. Publication rates of abstracts presented by pharmacy residents at the Western States Conference. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2012;69(1):59-62. doi: 10.2146/ajhp110423

9. Hasegawa GR. Publication of residency projects: another perspective. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2012;69(1):77-78. doi: 10.2146/ajhp110525

10. O'Dell KM, Shah SA. Evaluation of pharmacy practice residents' research abstracts and publication rate. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2012;52(4):524-527. doi: 10.1331/JAPhA.2012.10224

11. McKelvey RP, Hatton RC, Kimberlin CA. Pharmacy resident project publication rates and study designs from 1981, 1991, and 2001. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2010;67(10):830-6. doi: 10.2146/ajhp090090

12. Kwak N, Swan JT, Thompson-Moore N, Liebl MG. Validity and Reliability of a Systematic Database Search Strategy to Identify Publications Resulting From Pharmacy Residency Research Projects. J Pharm Pract. 2015 [Epub ahead of print]

13. Ellis JJ, McCreadie SR, McGregory M, Streetman DS. Effect of pharmacy practice residency training on residents' knowledge of and interest in clinical research. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2007;64(19):2055-2063.