Congratulations to all who matched during Phase I of the residency Match! If you didn’t match in the first round, please plan to participate in Phase II, as there are still a number of unfilled positions at excellent programs all across the country.
This year’s Match was another remarkable success. There were 5,752 applicants this year for 4,592 residency positions. Of those total positions, 3,750 are now filled with the remainder to be filled in Phase II of the Match. It should be noted that over the last five years residency positions have increased by 1,594.
It is wonderful to see such incredible interest in residency training and how the profession is responding to the increased demand by adding new positions. Residency training is an opportunity for pharmacists to further distinguish themselves as the medication experts on the patient care team, and expand their role in overall patient care.
ASHP, under the leadership of former CEO Dr. Joseph A. Oddis, created the concept of residency training and began accrediting programs 55 years ago. ASHP’s leadership in this area planted the seed for the formation of clinical pharmacy practice. Today, residency training and clinical pharmacy are more important than ever, and patients everywhere are benefiting from these important advances in pharmacy practice.
PGY2 ambulatory care residencies have experienced dramatic growth in recent years. Two years ago, there were 83 residency programs in ambulatory care; today there are 137 programs. Compared to last year, PGY2 residency programs in the areas of emergency medicine, infectious disease, and psychiatric care have also expanded rapidly.
The significant increase in the number of PGY2 residencies indicates that the market is demanding highly trained pharmacists for specialty areas of practice. In addition, the rising support for provider status at the state and national levels, as well as other changes to the healthcare landscape, is creating a demand for more residency programs.
Participating in residency programs is a win-win for you, your patients, and for the profession. I know that all of you as new PGY1 and PGY2 residents will rise up to meet the many challenges of completing a residency, and the experience will prepare you to practice at a higher level as a vital member of an interprofessional team.
Know that regardless of where you practice — whether in an ambulatory clinic, hospital, or other patient care setting — ASHP is your professional home as a patient care provider. Please plan to continue to read and contribute to AJHP Residents Edition. ASHP is the only organization with this exceptional peer-reviewed platform for pharmacy residents, and its success is fully attributed to you and the great work you will be doing as a resident. During your residency, keep up with best practices in research by viewing the ASHP Foundation’s The Essentials of Practice-Based Research. Please also make sure to stay involved in the ASHP New Practitioners Forum, which provides a multitude of resources and opportunities, including in-depth information about preparing for career transitions.
Again, congratulations to all of you, and good luck in your residency. I look forward to seeing you at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition in Orlando in December!
Sincerely,
Paul