Longitudinal Outcomes of an Elective Academic and Administrative Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the impact of an academic and administrative advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) on participants' career choice and long-term retention of teaching knowledge. Methods. Participants in an academic and administrative APPE from 2009 to 2016 completed a questionnaire about the experience and a 20-item knowledge test covering the five APPE modules. In addition, a retrospective review of graduates from the same timeframe was conducted to determine their faculty and preceptor status. Results. Of the 17 APPE participants, 16 completed the study and 100% reported that the experience helped them understand what it means to be a faculty member and an effective preceptor. The study participants completed the APPE knowledge test over the five modules. Participants passed four of the five module tests, including that for the instructional design module. A greater proportion of participants (75%) obtained faculty positions than did graduates who had not completed the APPE (9%). Seventy-one percent of students became active preceptors compared to 53% of students who did not complete the academic and administrative APPE, but this difference was not significant as the study was not powered to detect a difference. Conclusion. A longitudinal analysis of an academic and administrative APPE found that 75% of participants pursued a faculty position and retained their knowledge over time. A majority of the APPE participants (71%) and nonparticipants (53%) obtained a preceptor license. The outcomes support continued offering of the academic and administrative APPE to fourth-year pharmacy (P4) students. Requiring all P4 students to complete the APPE could help make them "preceptor ready."