Objective: This study aimed to determine whether postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) pharmacy residents felt more prepared for residency training after having completed a Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (LAPPE) program during pharmacy school.
Methods: This was a multicenter, two-arm, cross-sectional study among PGY-1 pharmacy residents. The primary outcome was self-reported residency preparedness. Secondary outcomes included self-reported competency in key indicators for success during early residency and matching with a preferred residency program. A survey was developed to obtain these data and was sent via email to all residency program directors of qualifying programs, who then redistributed it to PGY-1 residents in their respective programs.
Results: A total of 960 PGY-1 residents were included in the study. Of these, 180 (19%) reported prior participation in a LAPPE program. Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience participants reported increased preparedness for residency training as compared to nonparticipants (mean 6.18 vs 5.72 on a 7-point Likert scale; difference 0.46, 95% CI 0.309-0.618). Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience participation was also associated with greater self-reported clinical knowledge and skills (mean 5.18 vs 4.95, difference 0.23, 95% CI 0.093-0.372). Self-reported matching with a preferred residency program was common and similar between cohorts.
Conclusion: Postgraduate year 1 residents who had completed a LAPPE felt better prepared for residency than those who had not completed a LAPPE. Prior LAPPE participation was also associated with greater self-reported clinical knowledge and skills at the start of residency training.
Keywords: Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences; Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience programs; Pharmacy education; Residency preparedness.
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