Intervention documentation of second- to fourth-year pharmacy students during clinical experiential rotations

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate pharmacy student intervention documentation during their clinical experiential rotations and to gain insight on their perceptions of this experience.

Methods: This was an institutional review board approved descriptive study of pharmacy student interventions documented during one academic year. Students documented interventions using a pharmacy-specific system in the electronic medical record. Pharmacy student feedback regarding the process and utility of intervention documentation was assessed using a brief anonymous, voluntary, three-min online survey tool.

Results: In total, 894 clinical interventions were documented by 32 students (585 by 11 fourth-year students, 309 by 21 second- and third-year students). Most interventions were categorized as other (28%), followed by change in dose, frequency or, route (26.5%). The acceptance rate was 89.5% and associated cost savings were $166,551 ($186.30 per intervention). Student survey responses were generally positive and recommended continuing the documentation process in the future.

Conclusions: This study provides insight into the concept of second- and third-year pharmacy student clinical intervention documentation, with comparison to fourth-year documentation. Future studies exploring pharmacy student intervention documentation may be valuable (e.g., expanding pharmacy services, demonstrating student impact on patient care, strategies to best facilitate learning).

Keywords: Clinical intervention; Experiential rotation; Pharmacy student; Student pharmacist.