Results of a survey to assess residency preceptor development methods and precepting challenges

Purpose. The results of a survey to (1) assess the current status of preceptor development within pharmacy residency programs, (2) understand challenges to preceptor development, and (3) identify directions for future preceptor development opportunities are presented. Methods. In June 2012, pharmacy residents and preceptors listed in the ASHP online residency directory were surveyed. The survey was developed from a review of the literature and underwent expert review. The final instrument included 19 preceptor-specific items and 12 resident-specific items. Results. A total of 1437 preceptors and residents participated in the survey. Fortynine percent of preceptor respondents reported having attended a formal Residency Learning System workshop. Most surveyed preceptors (88.1%) felt they were adequately trained as a preceptor to be effective in educating pharmacy residents, but only 51.5% of preceptors felt they had adequate time for precepting residents. Preceptors reported the lack of time as the primary barrier to their development as preceptors, with 60% indicating that "effectively precepting while meeting employment responsibilities" was their primary precepting challenge. Conclusion. Less than half of respondents to the preceptor survey reported that their institutions had a policy outlining specific requirements for preceptor development. Preceptor survey respondents reported the lack of time as the primary barrier to preceptor development. Many surveyed residents indicated that providing effective verbal feedback and providing effective written feedback were the greatest challenges for their preceptors.