SATISFACTION AMONG RESIDENTS IN ASHP-ACCREDITED PHARMACY RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

The level of work satisfaction among pharmacists in ASHP-accredited re sidencies was studied. In March 1996 a questionnaire designed to measu re residency satisfaction was mailed to 697 individuals in ASHP-accred ited pharmacy practice and specialty practice residencies. Subjects re sponded to 16 statements relating to intrinsic and extrinsic determina nts of work satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 = strongly disa gree and 5 = strongly agree. Questionnaires were returned by 413 (59%) of the residents. The respondents were predominantly women (76%), and most (86%) had at least a Pharm.D. degree. Hospitals were the primary work setting (88%). Of the 413 residents, 305 were in pharmacy practi ce residencies and 108 were in specialized residencies. None of the me an scores indicated disagreement (scores <3) with the positively worde d statements or agreement (scores >3) with the negatively worded state ments. The median and mode were equal to 2 (disagree) for the three ne gatively worded items and 4 (agree) for all but three positively worde d items. Only 8% of the residents indicated that they would not accept the residency again if given the chance. Specialized residents tended to rate positively worded statements higher and negatively worded sta tements lower than pharmacy practice residents. Female residents indic ated greater satisfaction than male residents. Pay and benefits were r ated slightly better than neutral. Pharmacy residents appeared general ly satisfied with their residencies. Specialized pharmacy residents we re more satisfied than pharmacy practice residents, and women were mor e satisfied than men.