title: Role of Residency Interview Preparatory Activities as a Determinant on Pharmacy Residency Match Rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Different strategies have been implemented to assist students in securing residency positions. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of student participation in residency preparation activities on match rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective observational study was conducted to explore the effect of participation in residency preparation activities and grade point average (GPA) on residency match rate. Match rates for students participating in the Residency Interview Preparation Seminar (RIPS) or mock interviews (ie, intervention group) were compared with students who participated in neither activity (ie, control group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 118 individuals were included in the comparison. Forty-eight students participated in RIPS (n = 29) or mock interviews (n = 19), while 70 students were in the control group. The intervention group had a statistically larger proportion of students securing residency than the control group (81% vs 57%; P = .009). Match rates between students enrolled in RIPS versus those in the mock interview group were not significant. No statistically significant differences were observed based on GPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students receiving additional preparation prior to interviews when seeking postdoctoral training were significantly more likely to obtain a residency position. In academic settings with limited resources, mock interviews may be preferred over comprehensive preparatory courses.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Clinical and Administrative Services, Larkin College of Pharmacy, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benavides
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Lipscomb University, College of Pharmacy, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Clauson
authors.affiliation: 4 Health Professions Division, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hardigan
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Steinberg
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Pharmacy, Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Seamon
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valdes
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.|6 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Husson University, School of Pharmacy, Bangor, ME, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D064172:Pharmacy Residencies / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013339:Students, Pharmacy
keywords: mock interviews; pharmacy education; residency