A nationwide survey of the perception of the APPE by community pharmacy preceptors in South Korea

Abstract

BackgroundConsidering that approximately 75% of active pharmacists work in a community pharmacy globally, experiential practice in community pharmacies is a crucial part of pharmacy education. Skilled preceptors and their perceptions are integral to experiential practice. However, the perception of community pharmacy preceptors on a nationwide level is rarely studied. ObjectivesTo examine the perception of community pharmacy preceptors who had undertaken the newly implemented community pharmacy experiential practice in South Korea. MethodsThis study was based on a self-administered, nationwide, online cross-sectional survey performed by the Korean Pharmaceutical Association in 2017. Active community pharmacy preceptors undertaking experiential practice in South Korea were enrolled. The preceptor’s competence, satisfaction, stress, achievement, and the likelihood of continuing preceptorship were evaluated using a 4-point Likert scale. In addition, the determinants of perception were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. ResultsOf the 681 active preceptors, 390 (response rate: 57.3%) participated in this study, and the data of 385 participants were used for the final analysis. The majority of the preceptors were satisfied (83.1%), felt high achievement (85.8%), and were likely to continue with the preceptorship (85.7%). However, 52.8% reported increased stress due to the increased workload and lack of personal time. Preceptors who participated voluntarily had higher competence (odds ratio [OR] 2.050, 1.265–3.322) and exhibited lower stress (OR 0.560, 0.368–0.852). The academic degrees of preceptors and the number of preceptees trained by them were significantly related to competence. Preceptor age (>50 years) was negatively associated with stress (OR 0.635, 0.419–0.962). ConclusionBecause competence is a key element associated with community pharmacy preceptors, it is necessary to create an environment in which preceptors can consider themselves competent. This nationwide study with community pharmacy preceptors will provide a basis for improving the quality of training at community pharmacies and may aid experiential practice administrators in revising the current program.