Pharmacy preceptors' views on the value and optimal frequency of quality assurance visits to advanced pharmacy practice experience sites

Abstract

Objective. To determine volunteer preceptors' perceived value and desired frequency of quality assurance visits by experiential education faculty members. Methods. An electronic survey instrument was sent to 235 volunteer preceptors. Results. A 71.5% response rate was achieved. Nearly 90% of respondents indicated that onsite visits met their needs. Approximately 50% of respondents preferred monthly onsite visits, 17% preferred every other month, and 32% preferred once per year. Conclusions. A quality assurance program for preceptors and experiential sites that includes onsite visits from experiential education faculty members meets multiple needs of the college and the preceptors. More research is needed to determine the impact of this method of quality assurance on experiential education. © 2011 American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.