Evaluation of a teaching and learning curriculum for preceptors and residents

IntroductionThe role of the pharmacist as a clinician educator requires a developed skill set and dedication as a life-long learner. The Clinician Educators Program (CEP) at Midwestern University College of Pharmacy-Glendale in Glendale, Arizona is a 12-month longitudinal teaching and learning curriculum designed to meet this need. It includes a postgraduate education track for residents and residency preceptors and an experiential education track for university-affiliated preceptors. The program consists of 26 live seminar hours delivered over four full-day sessions, two mentored teaching experiences, and creation of a philosophy of teaching statement and electronic teaching portfolio. ObjectivesThe objectives of this research are to determine if the CEP enhanced the self-perceived skills and confidence of residents and preceptors as clinician educators, and if participants and residency program directors valued the program components. MethodsAll participants enrolled in the CEP from 2015-2018 and affiliated residency program directors were invited to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey asked a series of questions designed to measure the value of program components as well as the skills and confidence gained through program completion. ResultsThe survey response rate was 42% (132/317). The number of participants who agreed or strongly agreed that they had proficient skills as a clinician educator (45% before vs 99% after; P < .001) and were confident as a clinician educator significantly improved (48% before vs 100% after; P < .001). The overwhelming majority agreed or strongly agreed that they gained value from attending the live teaching skills seminars, participating in mentored teaching experiences, writing a teaching philosophy, and creating a teaching portfolio. Nearly all participants and residency program directors would recommend the CEP to future residents and/or preceptors. ConclusionThe CEP was well-received by participants and residency program directors and provides a model for enhancing confidence in the skills of clinician educators.