Impact and feasibility of a pharmacist-delivered pharmacotherapy rotation on pediatric resident education

Pharmacotherapy training for pediatric residents is an important part of their overall education. Limited data exist describing formal engagement of clinical pharmacists in residency training. The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel pharmacotherapy rotation for learner gains and program feasibility. We designed a novel pharmacotherapy rotation (PTR) involving a pharmacist preceptor, pediatric resident, and final-year pharmacy students in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Rotation objectives and content were based on learning gaps identified in a review of the resident curriculum. Data from PTRs completed 2014–2020 were used to evaluate PTR impact on residents’ knowledge and confidence in pharmacotherapy decision-making, and interprofessional valuing. We also addressed PTR feasibility for long-term and for adoption by others. Measures for demographic, knowledge, and confidence measures were administered to intervention and control groups. Measures for interprofessional valuing and post-PTR feedback were administered only to the intervention group. Pre-post gains were greater for intervention residents (n = 7) than for control (n = 10), (knowledge: p = 0.02, confidence: p < 0.0001). Interprofessional valuing gain for the intervention group was significant (p = 0.004). Few PTR changes have been necessary since initial implementation. Residents provided high ratings of PTR experiences and specific value-added benefits. Designing an inter-professional PTR within the existing PICU and pharmacy rotation enhanced feasibility, curriculum consistency, and flexibility to optimize inter-professional learning. Participation in the PTR enhanced resident pharmacotherapy knowledge and decision-making, and engagement in interprofessional practice. Next steps include expanding the PTR to other settings and specialties with further evaluation study.