Implementation of Debriefing Services for Pharmacy Residents in a 24-Hour, In-House Clinical Pharmacy On-Call Program: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy practice 2024-08, Vol.37 (4), p.822-829
• Main Authors: Mercer, Kevin J., Craddock, Kaitlyn E., Patel, Sajni V., Knoebel, Randall W., Soni, Hailey P., Lourenço, Laura M., Bastow, Samantha S., Szwak, Jennifer Austin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety; Depression; Female; Humans; Male; Pharmacy Residencies; Pharmacy Service, Hospital - organization & administration; Pilot Projects; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0897-1900; 1531-1937; 1531-1937
• DOI: 10.1177/08971900231182776

Background: This clinical pharmacy on-call program (CPOP) is a 24-hour, in-house service provided by pharmacy residents. During shifts, challenging situations may arise, which may correlate with depression, anxiety, and stress. Objective: This pilot study aims to describe the implementation of a debriefing program and characterize mental health patterns of residents in the CPOP. Methods: A structured debriefing process was developed to provide support to residents in the CPOP. Over a 1-year period, twelve outgoing pharmacy residents and ten incoming pharmacy residents completed a modified Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (mDASS-21) questionnaire and received a stress perception score (SPS) during debriefing. Data from first and final on-call shifts were compared via a paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Residents were referred to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) based on mDASS-21 and SPS results. Scores from final on-call shifts were compared between residency classes via a Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: Following successful implementation, 106 debriefing sessions were completed. Pharmacy residents responded to a median number of 38 events per shift. Significant reductions in anxiety and stress scores were observed from the first and final on-call shifts. Six residents were referred to EAP. A lower incidence of depression, anxiety, and stress was observed in pharmacy residents who received debriefing compared to previous residents. Conclusion: The debriefing program provided emotional support to pharmacy residents participating in the CPOP. Implementation of debriefing demonstrated a reduction of anxiety and stress from the beginning to the end of the academic year and in comparison to the previous year.