A Qualitative Study Identifying Key Components to Standardize Across Inpatient General Medicine Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Abstract

Objective. To identify common components of inpatient general medicine advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) across sites, determine which components were important to standardize, and distinguish a benchmark of each component that would indicate standardization. Methods. In-depth interviews about the student experience were conducted with two students and one or more preceptors at each of 12 inpatient general medicine sites in the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Data from transcribed interviews were analyzed, then collapsed into a single spreadsheet for comparison. Overall themes for component groups were identified and components within each theme tested for importance in overall quality of the student experience. Components important for quality of the student experience were deemed "key components" and component metrics were developed for benchmarking. Results. Three themes were essential in the quality of the learning experience at inpatient general medicine sites: welcoming of the student by the preceptors, integration of the student into the site, and student interaction with patients and other health care providers. Key components to be standardized across sites were a structured orientation, written site-specific student guidelines and performance expectations, regular and meaningful student-preceptor interactions, identified performance competency standards, clear delineation of student patient care load and responsibilities, and daily interactions with patients and other health care providers. Conclusion. Qualitative evidence from sites can be used to identify key components to standardize across practice sites offering the same experiential course. These key components aid in the welcoming of the student to the site, integration of the student into the workflow, and daily opportunities for the student to interact with patients and with health care providers.