Survey of Emergency Medicine Pharmacy Education Opportunities for Students and Residents

Abstract

Background Pharmacy services in the emergency department (ED) have been shown to decrease medication adverse events and improve patient outcomes. Anecdotally, there has been expansion of emergency medicine (EM) educational opportunities for pharmacy students and postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residents, however the extent of this expansion is currently unknown. Objective The objective of this survey study is to determine the prevalence and nature of EM pharmacy training available to pharmacy students and residents. Methods Electronic surveys were distributed to chairs of departments of pharmacy practice and experiential education representatives at Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education–accredited colleges or schools of pharmacy as well as residency program directors at American Society of Health-System Pharmacists–accredited postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) programs. Questions were asked related to demographics, EM introductory or advanced pharmacy practice experiences (IPPE or APPE), and PGY1 and non-EM postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) rotations. Five reminder e-mails and weekly and grand prize drawings were offered. Data that were gathered are presented utilizing descriptive statistics. Results Overall, 57/110 (52%) colleges or schools of pharmacy representatives and 286/831 (34%) residency program representatives completed the survey. Colleges or schools of pharmacy reported EM IPPEs and APPEs at 12/57 (21.1%) and 44/53 (83%), respectively. EM pharmacy rotations were available for PGY1 and non-EM PGY2 residents at 212/286 (74.1%) and 83/157 (52.9%) of institutions, respectively. Conclusions Survey results represent the prevalence and characteristics of EM-related education opportunities for pharmacy students and residents.