Design and Assessment of a Pharmacy Student–Delivered Preceptor Development Program

• Published in: American journal of pharmaceutical education 2023-01, Vol.87 (1), p.ajpe8939-50, Article ajpe8939
• Main Authors: Richter, Lisa M., Monson, Elizabeth, Bye, Katelyn, Frenzel, Jeanne E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Ability; Academic Standards; Accreditation; Accreditation (Institutions); Brief; College Faculty; College teachers; Course Descriptions; Curriculum; Documentation; Drug stores; Education; Education, Pharmacy - methods; Evaluation; experiential education; Experiential Learning; Focus groups; Grading; Humans; Learning; Management Systems; Medical education; Methods; Needs Assessment; Opportunities; Participation; Pharmaceutical Education; pharmacist extenders; Pharmacists; Pharmacology; Pharmacy; preceptor development; Preceptorship - methods; Problem-Based Learning; Professional development; Program Development - methods; Schools; State Schools; State Universities; Student Evaluation; Student evaluation of teachers; Students; Students, Pharmacy; Study and teaching; Teaching Methods
• ISSN: 0002-9459; 1553-6467
• DOI: 10.5688/ajpe8939

Objective. To design and assess the use of a pharmacy student–delivered preceptor development program. Methods. A student-delivered preceptor development program was developed to ensure all preceptors received documented preceptor development. A menu of discussion topics and associated teaching sheets were created by the school’s office of experiential education. On each rotation, advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students led discussions with their preceptors on a topic chosen by the preceptor and submitted documentation of the education. Preceptors answered a survey related to the amount of information and time required for the program, their preference for different formats of preceptor development, one important thing they learned through the program, and future development topics of interest. Students were interviewed regarding their perceptions and use of the program. Results. A novel student–delivered preceptor development program resulted in documentation of preceptor development for all APPE rotations. Seventy-nine preceptors (31% response rate) participated in the survey. In their responses, preceptors generally agreed that they were able to customize their development and incorporate what they learned into practice, and that the program had a convenient format and was valuable for preparing students to be future preceptors. Students reported that the program improved their confidence in communicating with a supervisor and prepared them for precepting. Conclusion. A student–delivered preceptor development program improved documented preceptor development. The program allowed preceptors to customize development opportunities in a convenient format. It was perceived positively by preceptors who would recommend the program to other schools of pharmacy.