This is how I think: Evaluation of a preceptor development webinar on incorporating the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process into experiential teaching

Abstract

Introduction: There is a critical need to establish and teach a uniform pharmacists' patient care process (PPCP) to create consistency in the profession. Little is known about preceptor incorporation of the PPCP into experiential teaching.

Methods: Using a pre-/post-program survey, this study aimed to characterize preceptors' perception of PPCP incorporation in teaching, confidence in PPCP articulation to team members and students, and ability to identify precepting strategies before and after completing a continuing education (CE) webinar.

Results: 103 of the 158 preceptors enrolled in the CE program completed pre-/post-program surveys. Preceptors' perception of PPCP incorporation with introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) students did not change significantly after the program (1.98 vs. 1.88, p = 0.317). However, advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) preceptors were less likely to strongly agree to PPCP incorporation after completing the program (1.91 vs. 1.72, p = 0.016). Preceptors felt increased confidence in their ability to articulate the PPCP to both team members (2.07 vs. 1.60, p = 0.000) and students (2.01 vs. 1.63, p = 0.000). Preceptors strongly agreed they had new strategies to use in precepting.

Conclusion: In order to prepare student pharmacists, preceptors must be prepared to explicitly incorporate the PPCP into their teaching. A webinar with case examples and a preceptor tool can help equip preceptors to articulate the PPCP to colleagues and students, and to identify strategies to incorporate the PPCP into their precepting.

Keywords: Experiential education; Pharmacists' patient care process; Pharmacy practice; Preceptor development.