Assessment of Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Programs in Preparing Pharmacy Students for Residency Training

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) pharmacy residents felt more prepared for residency training after having completed a Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (LAPPE) program during pharmacy school. Methods: This was a multicenter, two -arm, cross-sectional study among PGY-1 pharmacy residents. The primary outcome was self -reported residency preparedness. Secondary outcomes included self -reported competency in key indicators for success during early residency and matching with a preferred residency program. A survey was developed to obtain these data and was sent via email to all residency program directors of qualifying programs, who then redistributed it to PGY-1 residents in their respective programs. Results: A total of 960 PGY-1 residents were included in the study. Of these, 180 (19%) reported prior participation in a LAPPE program. Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience participants reported increased preparedness for residency training as compared to nonparticipants (mean 6.18 vs 5.72 on a 7 -point Likert scale; difference 0.46, 95% CI 0.309-0.618). Longitudinal Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience participation was also associated with greater self -reported clinical knowledge and skills (mean 5.18 vs 4.95, difference 0.23, 95% CI 0.093-0.372). Self -reported matching with a preferred residency program was common and similar between cohorts. Conclusion: Postgraduate year 1 residents who had completed a LAPPE felt better prepared for residency than those who had not completed a LAPPE. Prior LAPPE participation was also associated with greater self -reported clinical knowledge and skills at the start of residency training.