Time study of pharmacy practice faculty in family medicine residency clinics

Objective: To describe the activities of college of pharmacy practice faculty during their time in two family medicine residency clinics. Methods: A direct time and motion observation study was completed with pharmacy faculty members in family medicine residency clinics. The study consisted of three phases. Phase 1 was a pilot to determine the most appropriate categories of activities. Phase 2 sought to determine whether direct observation or self-report of activities would be most accurate. Phase 3 was the final time-and-motion study, which was completed via direct observation based on the results of phase 2. All activities were timed, recorded, and classified into specific categories of activity types. Results: Pharmacy faculty in these two family medicine residency clinics spent 51% of their time in patient care, 21% in teaching pharmacy learners, and the rest of their time in other professional activities or on personal time. Conclusion: Pharmacy practice faculty in family medicine residency programs dedicate most of their time to patient care activities, followed by teaching pharmacy learners. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.