The structure and implementation of practice-integrated foundational professional development programs for hospital pharmacists: a scoping review

Background: Practice-integrated residency programs are one of the most recognised training platforms for early career development across settings, including hospital pharmacy. They embed a structured education and competency framework and preceptor mentoring systems in the workplace. 

Aim: This review aimed to map the global literature on practice-integrated education and professional development programs for early career hospital pharmacists, with a focus on how the programs were implemented and structured. 

Design: A search was applied to electronic databases MEDLINE, Ovid Emcare, Embase, ERIC, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and grey literature sources until 31 December 2023. Search terms were developed in consultation with an academic librarian and using the population, concept and context mnemonic. The scoping review was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews and the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review manual. 

Results: Forty-seven papers were included from seven countries, with the majority (n = 33) being from the United States of America. Residency program details were mapped against jurisdictions and associated assessment processes, competency training areas, and focused training elements. Findings report similarities and differences of structural, competency frameworks, and locally driven context and requirements. 

Conclusion: The demand from early career pharmacists for residency programs remains high, with professional pharmacy organisations providing leadership to grow training positions. The global pharmacy development goals appear to be embedded within the residency programs, but gaps include training in non-direct patient care competencies and research that demonstrates the outcomes from residency training.