title: Structured approach to pharmaceutical representatives. Family medicine residency program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Family medicine residents frequently interact with pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSRs) during their medical training; the literature indicates that these meetings affect future prescribing habits. We needed to develop a structured approach to PSR visits because our program did not provide residents with a consistent experience in dealing with PSRs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a structured approach to PSR visits that would permit residents to better understand the role of PSRs and to gain more from their interactions with PSRs in the future.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year family medicine residents at an academic teaching unit in Edmonton were surveyed on their knowledge and attitude to PSRs and then given a 1-hour educational seminar and five structured visits from PSRs. Following each PSR presentation, residents completed an evaluation form and discussed the interaction with their preceptors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that a structured educational program is better than a written policy restricting interactions between PSRs and residents for providing residents with an understanding of the role of PSRs and making them better prepared for future contact.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton. skelcher@pharmacy.ualberta.ca
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelcher
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brownoff
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Meadows
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D003132:Commerce; D004345:Drug Industry; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007400:Interprofessional Relations