Implementation and impact of a fourth-year student pharmacist wellness series pilot on perceived stress and support

Abstract

Background and purpose: A wellness program was piloted for student pharmacists in their advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) year. The purpose is to describe the program implementation and its impact on APPE students' perceived stress and perception of support by school personnel.

Educational activity and setting: A three-session virtual wellness program was designed for APPE students. Attendance was optional for the pilot year. An online survey assessing demographics, perceived stress (measured by the validated Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), factors contributing to stress, and perceived support before the first session and after the third session was sent to all APPE students.

Findings: Twenty (37%), 13 (24%), and 10 (18.5%) students attended the first, second, and third session, respectively. A total of 49 students completed the post-program survey. Of these, ten (20.4%) attended one session, ten (20.4%) attended two sessions, and two (4.1%) attended three sessions. Students reported moderate stress. Female students endorsed higher PSS scores and career-related stress. PSS scores were lower among students who attended at least one session vs. those who did not attend any sessions and were negatively correlated with total sessions attended. Attendees were likelier to feel supported by staff and preceptors and perceived that concerns were heard by administration and preceptors.

Summary: An APPE wellness program was successfully developed. Students who attended at least one session reported less stress and greater support from school personnel vs. those who did not attend any sessions. These findings are promising as wellness efforts are integrated into pharmacy training.

Keywords: Advanced pharmacy practice experience; Stress; Student pharmacist; Wellness; Wellness program.