Roadmap to Postgraduate Training in Pharmacy

Postgraduate Pharmacy Training: Going the Distance

A Roadmap to Postgraduate Training in Pharmacy



Table of Contents



Chapter 1: History of residency training

Written from the perspective of a seasoned professional, this chapter includes:

· Description of the beginnings of residency training

· Changes in residency training with transition to all-PharmD degrees in pharmacy

· Growth in the types of specialties and numbers of programs and positions

· Pharmacy organizations’ role in the development of residency training



Chapter 2: Introduction – The What and Whys of Post Graduate Training

This chapter defines post graduate training, mentions, and differentiates the various options including:

· Residencies

· Fellowships

· Similarities and differences between residency and fellowship training

· Additional degree programs complementary to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree



Chapter 3: Why should I complete a residency?

This chapter discusses the advantages of residency training including:

· Benefits of residency/fellowship training

· What will a residency provide for me

· Pharmacy organization opinions and statements on residency training

· Residency training from the employer perspective



Chapter 4: The role of accreditation in postgraduate training

This chapter defines accreditation and outlines:

· The significance of accreditation in residency training

· Organizations granting residency accreditation

· Role of fellowship training and its accreditation processes (or lack of)



Chapter 5: Things to expect during a residency year

This chapter will explain the activities for a residency year including:

· Major projects

· Medication Use Evaluations

· Regional resident conferences

· Other common resident activities (inservices, journal clubs)

· Pharmacy practice and drug distribution activities

· Clinical on call services

· General day to day activities of a resident



Chapter 6: Role of research in residency training

A major research project is a significant portion of the residency year, this chapter will outline important details related to these activities:

· Purpose and objectives of the residency research project

· ASHP standards related to research activities

· Applicability of research activities to daily practice



Chapter 7: Selecting the ideal residency program

This chapter provides information on things to consider when choosing to pursue residency training

· Decision to pursue residency training

· Psychosocial aspects of residency training including work-life balance and stress management

· Selecting the residency program that best fits with the candidate



Chapter 8: The “Ideal” Residency Candidate”

Written with input from program directors, this chapter will provide information on the “ideal residency candidate” including:

· Making sure career goals align with what the institution provides

· CV is organized and complete

· Things NOT to do (misspellings etc)

· How to conduct oneself on an interview

· Professional communications



Chapter 9: Preparing for the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting (MCM)

This chapter will include a detailed explanation on the following:

· Online Residency Directory

· Curriculum vitae preparation for Residency Showcase

· Correspondence with programs prior to the MCM

· What to prepare prior to Residency showcase

· What to prepare for participation in Personal Placement Service (PPS) and its role in obtaining postgraduate training



Chapter 10: Activities at the Midyear Clinical Meeting

This chapter will discuss applicant activities at the MCM and emphasize the importance of professionalism. It will include topics on:

· Navigating the Residency Showcase

· Interactions with programs at the showcase including a list of sample questions

· Program receptions and attendance

· Structure and function of PPS



Chapter 11: Post-MCM activities and the residency application process “The Holiday Rush”

This chapter will provide the reader with information on the tasks to be completed after MCM including the application process. Professionalism will be re-emphasized and the chapter will discuss:

· Thank you letters

· Deciding which programs to submit applications

· Completing applications

· Letters of intent

· Updating the Curriculum vitae

· How to ask for letters of recommendation

· Letters of recommendation/recommendation forms

· Meeting deadlines

· Applying to the match



Chapter 12: Interview Process

This chapter includes discussion on considerations, expectations, and unique aspects of the interview process including:

· How do interview offers occur

· What to expect from an onsite interview

· Follow-up after an onsite interview

· Sample interview questions

· Interview etiquette



Chapter 13: Match Process

This chapter includes discussion on the match process including:

· How does the Match process work

· How do you
submit your ranking

· How does an applicant find out their match results

· What happens if I don’t match? (The scramble)



Chapter 14: Various types of residencies - PGY1 Pharmacy Practice

Written with input from program directors and preceptors at a variety of institutions this chapter describes the unique aspects of PGY1 programs including:

· Overall objective of PGY1 programs in creating a pharmacy generalist

· Similarities and differences between Programs at academic medical centers, urban community hospitals, smaller community hospitals, programs at Veterans Affairs hospitals

· Required and elective rotation opportunities to consider

· Clinical “On-call” activities



Chapter 15: PGY1- Community Pharmacy Residencies

This chapter provides information on the unique features and considerations for residencies in community pharmacy practice including:

· Accreditation as a joint effort of ASHP and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

· Corporate and academic support of programs

· Learning objectives specific to community pharmacy

· Unique activities of community pharmacy training

· Personal reflections on community pharmacy training



Chapter 16: PGY1 Community Pharmacy Residency Application Process

Written by individuals involved in Community Pharmacy Residency training, this chapter includes:

· Information on the APhA residency directory and its resources

· Searching for and interacting with residency programs at the APhA Annual meeting

· Differences in the application process for Community Pharmacy Residency Programs



Chapter 17: Various types of residencies - PGY1- Managed Care Pharmacy

This chapter includes discussion on considerations and unique aspects of managed care pharmacy residencies including:

· The roles of ASHP and the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)

· Types of sponsoring organizations

· Learning objectives specific to managed care pharmacy programs

· Unique activities of managed care training

· Personal reflections on managed care training



Chapter 18: PGY1 Managed Care Pharmacy Residency Application Process

Written by individuals involved in Managed Care Pharmacy training, this chapter includes:

· Information on the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) and its resources for residency training

· Unique aspects of the Managed Care Pharmacy Application process



Chapter 19: Various types of residencies - PGY2 - Specialty Residencies

Written with input and perspective from program directors from each specialty, this chapter includes brief information on the important characteristics to consider when selecting a PGY2 specialty. Specific information in this chapter will include:

· Difference between PGY1 and PGY2 training activities and expectations

· Overall objective of PGY2 program in creating a pharmacy specialist

· Benefits of pursuing PGY2 residency after PGY1 completion



Chapter 20 - 40: Types of PGY2 Specialty Residencies



(***Chapters 20 - 40 will be dedicated to each of the types of specialty residencies including: Administration, Ambulatory Care, Cardiology, Critical Care, Drug Information, Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Infectious Diseases and HIV, Internal Medicine, Medication use safety, Nephrology, Nuclear, Nutrition Support, Oncology, Palliative Care/Pain Management, Pediatric Oncology, Pediatrics, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacy Informatics, Psychiatric Pharmacy, Transplantation- Immunology and Solid Organ Transplant***)



Written with input and perspective from specialty program directors, this chapter includes brief information on the specialty residency:

· Similarities and differences between Programs at academic medical centers, urban community hospitals, smaller community hospitals, programs at Veterans Affairs hospitals

· Required and elective rotation opportunities to consider

· Clinical “On-call” activities

· Learning objectives specific to the specialty residency

· Unique activities of training for the specialty residency

· Personal reflections on the specialty residency



Chapter 41: PGY2 Matching Process

Written with input from PGY2 residency directors this chapter will include:

· Difference between PGY1 and PGY2 matching processes

· Unique PGY2 interview expectations

· Early commitment

· Match process for PGY 2 Specialty Residencies



Chapter 42: Life after the residency Match

This chapter provides information on preparing to start the residency and familiarizing soon-to-be residents on RLS and ResiTrack including:

· Relocation

· Residency learning system (RLS)

· ResiTrak

· Licensure requirements

· Skills and knowledge preparation including the “Top 10 Things to Ask Every Preceptor”

o The list covers keeping up with the medical literature, technology in the workplace, work-life balance, etc.





Chapter 43: Fellowships

Written by pharmacists involved in fellowship training, this chapter contains:

· The benefits of fellowship training

· General features of fellowship training

· Considerations in selecting a fellowship program



Chapter 44: Degree Programs

Written by individuals with an academic perspective on degree programs, this chapter contains:

· Description of degree programs including Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Clinical Research, and Doctor of Philosophy

· Enhanced skills and career opportunities available after these degree programs

· Timing of degree programs in relation to the Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum and residency/fellowship training (if applicable)



Chapter 45: Career Options after residency training:

This chapter describes the unique career opportunities available after residency training including:

· Clinical pharmacy positions at urban and rural institutions

· Clinical pharmacy faculty positions

· SPAN>Pharmaceutical industry positions

· Administrative positions



Chapter 46: Conclusion

Written from the perspective of the ASHP Commission on Credentialing, the book will conclude with a discussion on the future of residency training including:

· Increasing necessity of residency training for involvement in clinical practice

· Anticipated changes in residency training

· Future of Residency Training



Appendix 1: Suggested timeline of events

Appendix 2: Sample letters and CVs



Chapter Consistencies

· Chapter excerpt or introduction at beginning of each chapter

· “Potent Quotables”

o Blurbs, personal accounts set off in the margins sporadically

· Chapter highlights at the end of each chapter