Outcomes of a pharmacotherapy/research rotation in a family medicine training program.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The effects of a required pharmacotherapy/research rotation in family medicine residency programs, precepted by a clinical pharmacist, have not been documented in the literature. This study evaluated the effects that a focused pharmacotherapy/research rotation had on family medicine residents' knowledge of pharmacotherapy and research topics. METHODS During the first year of a family medicine residency, 15 residents were required to complete 1 month in pharmacotherapy and research. They spent time observing a pharmacist-run clinic and discussing pharmacotherapy and research topics. Residents completed a 20-question pretest and a posttest consisting of 15 pharmacotherapy and five research questions while on the rotation. Higher scores on the tests indicated higher levels of knowledge. The differences in mean scores were evaluated using paired t tests. RESULTS Overall, the mean score on the pretest was 10.13 compared to 14.67 on the posttest. Mean scores on the pharmacotherapy and research components for the pretests and posttests were 7.27 compared to 10.47 and 2.87 compared to 4.20, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A focused pharmacotherapy/research rotation, precepted by a clinical pharmacist, increases family medicine residents' knowledge.