Factors predicting pharmacy student's interest in applying for pharmacy residency

Purpose:  Acceptance into a PGY1 residency program is becoming increasingly competitive. ASHP statistics from 2006 to 2010 show large increases in the number of applicants, and a disproportionately small increase in accredited PGY1 residency programs. We investigate what the predictive factors for seeking a PGY1 residency are in pharmacy students at Roseman University of Health Sciences. We hypothesize that as a student’s education progresses, the student will be more likely to seek PGY1 training.

Methods: We are surveying Roseman University pharmacy students during two consecutive academic years. We ask about their graduation year, paid internships, internship settings, career aspirations, and interest in applying for a PGY1 residency. Interest in applying for a pharmacy residency is compared for each characteristic. Surveys were electronically distributed to 512 students for the 2011-2012 school year (response rate = 231/512, 45.1%) and will be sent to 500 students during the 2012-2013 school year. Participation is voluntary and responses are anonymous. 

Results:  The first round of surveys shows no statistically significant difference in residency aspirations between graduation classes. There is also no difference between students who are employed or unemployed as pharmacy interns. Students who work in hospital pharmacy were more likely to pursue a PGY1 residency than those who work in a community setting (RR = 2.23 [1.69-2.93]). Also, students who plan to pursue hospital careers were more likely than those who plan to work in retail to pursue residency (RR = 8.87 [4.89-16.08]). The second survey will be completed in Fall, 2012 in order to determine if there is a significant difference from one academic year to the next in the classes graduating in 2013 and 2014.

Conclusion:  To be presented at the 2012 ACCP Annual Meeting.