Study on the pharmacy residency program in the United States and its enlightenment on training clinical pharmacists in China

AIM To describe the current situation of pharmacy residency program in the United States,put forward reference and suggestion for standardized training of clinical pharmacists in China. METHODS The updated data in 2013 from the website of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists( ASHP) and official websites of pharmacy residency program providers was collected. The information on type,states,accreditation status,number of positions,estimated stipend,fringe benefits,special requirements for acceptance,training site type,total beds and content were statisticed and analyzed by Excel. RESULTS As of July 2013,there were 1 601 pharmacy residency programs in USA,including 968 postgraduate year one( PGY1) programs,585 postgraduate year 2( PGY2) programs and 47 PGY1PGY2 combined programs. PGY1 involved 827 pharmacy residency programs,40 managed care pharmacy programs and 101 community pharmacy residency programs. PGY1 recruited 2 509 residencies in 2013,on average,2. 74 residencies every program. PGY2 involved 26 specific areas and each area hold 1 to 108 programs.PGY2 recruited 646 residencies in 2013,on average,1. 24 residencies every program. The training mode of PGY1 and PGY2 included orientation,rotation and longitudinal. CONCLUSION As a post-Pharm. D training program,the pharmacy residency program reflects a good continuity of the education of Pharm. D. As an advanced training program for clinical pharmacists after graduation,the residency program is a mature and standardized organization management system such as its coverage,design,requirements for acceptance,information system and evaluation system. Therefore,it is necessary,feasible and significant to establish a standardized training program and criterion for clinical pharmacists in China by referencing the successful experience of pharmacy residency program in the United States.