Teaching experiences in pharmacy residency

Abstract

Postgraduate pharmacy residencies equip trainees with advanced clinical skills for patient care and prepare them for specialized roles in their careers. Teaching is a core responsibility for most pharmacists, yet postgraduate residency training often lacks standardization in teaching and learning experiences. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) provides residency accreditation standards; however, the activities related to teaching objectives may lack consistency across institutions and programs. The 2024 American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Publications Committee updated a previous publication on standardized teaching experiences for all residencies and programs offering a teaching certificate or other teaching experiences. The current paper highlights information and activities for residency programs to promote diverse teaching experiences, including the introduction of a tier system. Postgraduate pharmacy residencies should adopt these guidelines to offer consistent teaching experiences with personalization for trainees. Residents should also inquire about the teaching components of programs to choose the best fit for their career goals. There should be a balance between standardization and flexibility in teaching experiences to prepare residents for diverse roles in clinical practice or academia.