Survey of ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency programs

The results of a survey of the re requirements and features of pharmacy res idency programs are reported. The survey was mailed on March 5, 1999, to the directors of 474 pharmacy pr actice and specialty residency programs with ASHP accreditation as of March 1, 1999. Included were questions on stipends, staffing requirements, and b enefits. Information not typically included in the ASHP residency directori es was also sought Three hundred surveys were returned, for a 72% response rate. Of the respon ding programs, 174 (58%) were pharmacy practice programs and the rest speci alty programs. The specialties with the largest number of respondents were primary ca re (30 of 126, or 24%) and drug information (23, or 18%). The pr actice setting varied widely, but a university-based practice site was most frequent (122 of 300 programs, or 41%). The overall median stipend range w as $28,000-$28,999; stipends varied relatively little by geographic region but were highest in New York and New Jersey. Most residency programs had a staffing require-ment, which averaged eight hours per week A substantial pa rt of residents' time was spent on drug distribution and patient care activ ities such as medical rounds and patient counseling. The most common benefi ts reported were paid time off, health and medical coverage, and reimbursem ent for specific professional expenses. Ultimately, the creation of an Inte rnet-accessible electronic database will maximize the availability and time liness of such information and minimize the cost and labor involved in upda ting currently available resources. A survey of ASHP-accredited residency programs yielded data that provide a valuable supplement to the information in ASHP residency directories.