I have to admit the words research and boot camp aren’t ones that have me jumping out of my seat, and deciding to apply for a program that combined those words left me a little nervous. As a new assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson, Nevada, I am learning to juggle the three aspects of my career: teaching, service/patient care and research. My passion lies in teaching and providing patient care, but I do recognize the importance of research and what it contributes to our profession. To strengthen my research skills and take them to the next level, my mentor suggested I complete the ASHP Foundation Research Boot Camp. As a graduate of the program herself, she enthusiastically discussed how the program had benefited her and the amazing experience she had.
The boot camp started off with online training through recorded lectures, readings and homework assignments. All of the material was well organized and informative; it allowed me to learn in a stepwise manner, on my own time. The comments and advice from my boot camp and local mentors helped me to develop and further define my research idea. I was excited to make my first trip to Bethesda, Maryland, and meet all the program participants, boot camp mentors and ASHP Foundation staff members at our on-site training. It was nice to put faces to the names I have been in contact with through email.
The on-site training provided brief lectures that truly clarified many of the questions I had regarding the online material. We also had many small and large group discussions about all of the participants’ projects. It was interesting to hear what all of my colleagues were working on and getting to know them in the process. My research interests include patient-centered care and the role of the pharmacist as part of the health care team. My mentors helped me to narrow down a question prior to the on-site session that looks at the role of a pharmacist in increasing the patient’s involvement in his or her own care. Before the on-site boot camp, I had a general idea on how I was going to carry out the project, but during the session the mentors, ASHP Foundation staff and other participants helped me to finalize my research question, inclusion criteria, the sample size needed and a draft of my methods. They all helped me to make my project more feasible and offered advice on the next steps I need to take to make my project come to fruition.
This boot camp was not all work; we also had a lot of fun! The ASHP Foundation staff was very hospitable and kept us well fed during the entire trip, including group meals. I realized I had a lot in common with the other participants, as many of them were faculty members with a wide variety of experience. I enjoyed our conversations about pharmacy and provider status, patient care and life as pharmacy faculty members. The on-site portion of the boot camp exceeded my expectations and was essential to finalizing my research question, developing my study design and networking with research mentors and colleagues. After the on-site training, my fellow boot campers and I went to Georgetown Cupcakes to celebrate our new friendships and all that we accomplished that week!
I can truly say this program further developed my research skills and even has me jumping out of my seat to start my research project!
The Research Boot Camp is currently accepting applications for the 2015 program. Learn more at www.ashpfoundation.org/bootcamp.#PharmacyPracticeManagers #ResidencyProgramDirector #Resident #Research #NewPractitioners #ClinicalSpecialistsandScientists