A faculty-led mock residency interview exercise for fourth-year doctor of pharmacy students.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a faculty-led mock-interview activity enhanced pharmacy student preparation for the residency interview process and increased match rates.


METHODS
Twenty-eight doctor of pharmacy students volunteered for a 40-minute mock-interview session with 2-person faculty teams. A standard roster of 12 interview questions was derived from published literature and the faculty members' experience. Feedback on the student's interview performance was provided verbally during the session. Following the interview, students were given a 2-part survey instrument. The first part of the survey was administered immediately following the mock-interview session and the second part was administered after the standard date for residency program results (known as "Match Day"). Participant match rates were compared to American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) national rates.


RESULTS
82.5% (23 of 27) of students in the mock-interview group matched a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) program. Compared to national rates (61.9%), more students in our surveyed mock-interview group matched a PGY1 residency (P = .015; odds ratio [OR] 3.546, 95% CI 1.161-12.116).


CONCLUSIONS
Higher match rates were seen in the students completing the mock residency interview compared to ASHP national rates. In general, students completing the mock interview found the process helpful and felt better prepared for their residency interviews.
Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA. carrie.koenigsfeld@drake.edu
Carrie F
CF
Koenigsfeld
Geoffrey C
GC
Wall
Andrew R
AR
Miesner
Ginelle
G
Schmidt
Sally L
SL
Haack
Darla K
DK
Eastman
Sarah
S
Grady
Anisa
A
Fornoff
D004514:Education, Pharmacy, Graduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D014830:Vocational Guidance / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards