Evaluation of social phobia, comfort in communication, and interprofessional value during advanced pharmacy practice experiences: A focus on pharmacy student and medical resident interprofessional education.

BACKGROUND

We implemented and evaluated communication and interprofessional socialization after a unique rotation between final year pharmacy students and medical residents.

INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY: Pharmacy students on an advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) in pediatric critical care completed a standard experience with (i.e. intervention group) or without (i.e. control group) a medical resident as part of the pharmacy team. The objectives of this study were to evaluate pharmacy student social phobia, communication apprehension, interprofessional socialization, value placed on interprofessional teams, and comfort interacting with a physician as a result of the APPE. Practicality and sustainability were also evaluated.

DISCUSSION: Forty-six students participated (28 control, 18 intervention). Both groups had similar baseline characteristics and measure scores. No changes were observed in social phobia or communication apprehension. Both control and intervention groups showed improved scores in interprofessional socialization and valuing. Scores on the Self-Perceived Ability subscale of the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale increased for the intervention group, but not for the control group. Comfort interacting with a physician was higher in the intervention than the control group. Minimal changes to the APPE were made during the six-year study, and practicality and sustainability were positive.

IMPLICATIONS: Limited data describe interactions between pharmacy students and medical residents on APPEs. Participating students increased their comfort and self-perceived ability in interacting with a physician. Due to the limited need for extra time or financial resources, this experience could be applied and studied in additional settings to assist in preparing practice ready pharmacists.