FACULTY HAVE FEW INCENTIVES FOR BECOMING BOARD CERTIFIED IN PHARMACOTHERAPY

A telephone survey of all colleges of pharmacy in the United States (i ncluding Puerto Rico) and Canada was conducted to assess the incentive s offered for pharmacy practice faculty to become board-certified phar macotherapy specialists (BCPS). Board certification is not a requireme nt for employment at any college of pharmacy; however, it plays a part in promotion, tenure, and merit salary increases at several schools. Fewer than half of the schools provide at least partial reimbursement of examination-related expenses. Sixteen have initiated BCPS study gro ups. We perceive that faculty must have more incentives to take the ex amination. It may be difficult to change institutional policies regard ing merit increases or promotion and tenure, but colleges of pharmacy can do more to decrease the cost burden and to promote study groups wi thin the department.