Scalability of a remote advanced pharmacy practice experience with post‐graduate year one pharmacy resident preceptors

IntroductionDue to suspension of onsite clinical instruction due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a remote acute care rotation was created to provide students with an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) and post graduate year one (PGY-1) pharmacy residents with an opportunity to gain experience in precepting roles. ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to evaluate student knowledge, clinical skills, communication, student satisfaction, and PGY-1 pharmacy resident acceptance of this remote rotation and fulfillment of residency precepting objectives. MethodsA five-week remote acute care APPE rotation was created with pharmacy residents serving as co-preceptors. A written evaluation and intermittent clinical examination (ICE) were deployed at baseline and conclusion to assess student knowledge, clinical skills, and communication. Student surveys assessed perceived skill improvement, satisfaction, and assessment of rotation and resident preceptors. Surveys were also utilized to evaluate resident perceived attainment of precepting objectives and residency program fulfillment of precepting requirements. ResultsThirty-four students and 10 residents participated in the rotation. Student knowledge and clinical skills increased from baseline (41 out of 60 [31-52] vs 50 [43-55]; P < .001) and the ICE (36 out of 70 [18-55] vs 59.5 [43-70]; P < .001). There was a statistically significant increase at rotation conclusion in resident rating of extreme competence or extreme comfort in 45% of domains assessed. ConclusionA remote APPE rotation is an effective approach to deliver an APPE rotation and can be successfully used to further student knowledge and provide PGY-1 pharmacy residents a precepting opportunity to advance their precepting skills when onsite experiences are limited.