Exploring the Path(s) Less Traveled: Determining Non-direct Patient Care Pathway Opportunities for Pharmacists

Objective To explore healthcare employer perspectives on current and emerging non-direct patient care opportunities for pharmacists and how training for these opportunities can be incorporated into Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula. Methods Focus groups of healthcare employers were conducted to gain diverse perspectives on current and emerging non-direct patient care opportunities for pharmacists. Additionally, participants were asked how training for these opportunities could be incorporated into PharmD curricula to help graduates develop the skillset needed to succeed in these areas. Purposive sampling was used to identify focus group participants. Thirty-nine participants attended one of 16 focus groups over a two-month period. Thematic coding was used by three researchers to identify themes. Results Participants identified managed care, the pharmaceutical industry, consulting, and health policy as the top areas for non-direct patient care opportunities. Emerging areas identified included technology/informatics, data science, and medical devices. To be competitive for and successful in positions within these areas, participants emphasized that having a strong clinical background and basic understanding of business principles and the drug development process were essential in addition to knowledge and skills related to teamwork and leadership development. Participants also stressed the importance of pharmacy students being able to differentiate themselves through specialized tracks, pathways, certificates, and/or dual degree programs, particularly since pharmacy graduates will often be competing with business and public health school students for positions within these areas. A major barrier to successful training included lack of faculty expertise. Conclusions Non-direct patient care opportunities continue to expand for pharmacists with increasing interest from PharmD graduates. Recommendations were provided on emerging opportunity areas, topics important for students to learn, and strategies to implement training within PharmD curricula. To explore healthcare employer perspectives on current and emerging non-direct patient care opportunities for pharmacists and how training for these opportunities can be incorporated into Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) curricula. Focus groups of healthcare employers were conducted to gain diverse perspectives on current and emerging non-direct patient care opportunities for pharmacists. Additionally, participants were asked how training for these opportunities could be incorporated into PharmD curricula to help graduates develop the skillset needed to succeed in these areas. Purposive sampling was used to identify focus group participants. Thirty-nine participants attended one of 16 focus groups over a two-month period. Thematic coding was used by three researchers to identify themes. Participants identified managed care, the pharmaceutical industry, consulting, and health policy as the top areas for non-direct patient care opportunities. Emerging areas identified included technology/informatics, data science, and medical devices. To be competitive for and successful in positions within these areas, participants emphasized that having a strong clinical background and basic understanding of business principles and the drug development process were essential in addition to knowledge and skills related to teamwork and leadership development. Participants also stressed the importance of pharmacy students being able to differentiate themselves through specialized tracks, pathways, certificates, and/or dual degree programs, particularly since pharmacy graduates will often be competing with business and public health school students for positions within these areas. A major barrier to successful training included lack of faculty expertise. Non-direct patient care opportunities continue to expand for pharmacists with increasing interest from PharmD graduates. Recommendations were provided on emerging opportunity areas, topics important for students to learn, and strategies to implement training within PharmD curricula.