Frequency, impact and response to pharmacy students experiencing distressing APPE-related events

IF 1.3 Q3 EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning Pub Date : 2025-02-16 DOI:10.1016/j.cptl.2024.102233

Kate Newman , Valerie Ruehter

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Abstract

Introduction

Work-related trauma has been extensively studied in medicine and nursing, revealing its frequent occurrence among both students and practicing professionals. This phenomenon has not been described in pharmacy despite pharmacists and student pharmacists working in similar clinical environments. This study aims to investigate the frequency, impact, and response to distressing events during Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) among pharmacy students.

Methods

An anonymous survey was distributed twice to 233 fourth-year pharmacy students at the end of each semester at two public schools of pharmacy during the 2021–2022 academic year. The survey collected demographic information, frequency of distressing events, perceived personal impact, and preceptor/site response. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative survey results.

Results

A total of 132 responses were included in the analysis (response rate: 28.3 %). Among participants, 64.4 % reported experiencing at least one distressing event during their APPE rotations. The most reported event types were patient-care-related events (43 %) and student-provider/preceptor conflicts (33.8 %). Distressing events occurred in all rotation types. Of respondents experiencing a distressing event, 44.8 % indicated it had lasting impact. A debriefing discussion with someone at the site only occurred for 35.3 %. Open-ended comments from students revealed suggestions for colleges and schools to enhance operational procedures as well as recommendations for sites and preceptors to provide better proactive support to students and improve their response following a distressing event experience.

Conclusion

Students are experiencing distressing events during APPEs and frequently report that these situations are not being discussed, emphasizing the need for interventions and support. Additional research to understand long-term impact of these experiences and best approaches for prevention and response is warranted.

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