Evaluation of Pharmacy Residency Recruitment and Interview Processes during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2021 Application Cycle)

Mary Joyce B Wingler; David A Cretella; Jamie L Wagner; Katie E Barber; P Brandon Bookstaver; Lauren Freeman; Elizabeth W Covington; Christopher M Bland; Bruce M Jones; Maicuc Tran; Stefanie A Stramel; Michelle Turner; Darrell Childress; Kayla R Stover

doi:10.1002/jac5.1684

Evaluation of Pharmacy Residency Recruitment and Interview Processes during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2021 Application Cycle)

J Am Coll Clin Pharm. 2022 Jul 20:10.1002/jac5.1684. doi: 10.1002/jac5.1684. Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Antimicrobial Stewardship University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson Mississippi.
² Department of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Department of Medicine University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson Mississippi.
³ Department of Pharmacy Practice University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy Jackson Mississippi.
⁴ University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy Prisma Health Richland Hospital Columbia South Carolina.
⁵ Department of Pharmacy Services WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital Morgantown West Virginia.
⁶ Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy Birmingham Alabama.
⁷ University of Georgia College of Pharmacy St. Joseph's/Candler Health System Savannah Georgia.
⁸ St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, Inc. Savannah Georgia.
⁹ Department of Pharmacy Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Houston Texas.
¹⁰ Department of Pharmacy Cone Health | Moses Cone Hospital Greensboro North Carolina.
¹¹ Department of Pharmacy East Alabama Medical Center Opelika Alabama.
¹² Department of Pharmacy Practice University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street Jackson MS.

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most pharmacy residency programs changed to an all-virtual format for recruitment and interviews for the 2020-2021 application cycle. There are no data evaluating the experiences and perceptions of these changes from the perspective of pharmacy residency programs and applicants.

Methods: An electronic cross-sectional survey was distributed via email to post-graduate year 1 (PGY1) and post-graduate year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs and applicants across the Southeastern United States. Results have been reported according to the Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS) guidelines (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research [EQUATOR] Network).

Results: 142 residency applicants and 104 residency programs responded to the survey. Most respondents participated in virtual recruitment and interviews. In 2020-2021, less residency programs participated in local/regional showcases and personal placement services, but social media engagement increased. Of the applicants who responded, over half felt the need to apply to more programs during this application cycle, and a corresponding increase in applications were seen by residency programs. Residency interviews appeared shorter than previous years, and less programs offered an informal time to get to know the applicants. Overall, applicants and residency programs preferred on-site interviews, but both parties reported feeling confident creating rank lists after virtual interviews.

Conclusion: These results highlight the impact of COVID-19 on residency recruitment and the interview process. Residency programs should implement feedback for improving the virtual experience, as able. The ongoing pandemic may affect the 2022-2023 application cycle, and pharmacy leadership organizations should consider developing guidance for applicants and residency programs on navigating another year of virtual events.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: application; hybrid; pharmacy residency; post‐graduate training; virtual.