Pharmacy residents' preparedness for the emotional challenges of patient care

Purpose: Results of a survey to determine levels of pharmacy resident exposure to and preparedness for emotionally unsettling clinical scenarios are presented.

Methods: A pretested electronic survey was distributed to 1501 U.S. pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs), who were asked to complete the survey and forward it to residents in their programs. Both respondent groups provided perspectives on pharmacy residents' frequency of exposure to and preparedness for nine scenarios that could potentially be emotionally unsettling to pharmacy residents (e.g., a patient's death, participation in a response to a cardiorespiratory arrest). RPDs and residents were queried regarding training methods used by their programs to prepare trainees to cope with emotionally unsettling events.

Results: A total of 940 responses were received. Overall, resident-reported ex posure to the nine scenarios listed in the survey was infrequent. Majorities of both RPDs and residents (85.2% and 67.1%, respectively) indicated that residents could be better prepared for the emotional challenges of patient care. The most common method of training was a one-on-one discussion between a preceptor and a resident on an as-needed basis. No training was reported by 30% and 40% of RPDs and residents, respectively.

Conclusion: The majority of RPD and resident respondents indicated that residents could be better prepared for the emotional challenges of patient care. The most commonly reported method of training for coping with emotional challenges was a one-on-one discussion between a preceptor and a resident on an as-needed basis.