More than 200 individuals, including pharmacy residents, fellows, graduate students, preceptors, residency program directors and faculty members, attended the 2019 Research in Education and Practice Symposium (REPS).
The sixth annual event held May 20-21, at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Kerr Hall, gave trainees the chance to receive high-level feedback on their work and to also network with other practitioners across the region.
“This is a rare opportunity for residents and other learners to convene and get open, honest feedback about their research,” said Stephen Eckel, Pharm.D., M.H.A., who leads the REPS planning committee. “It’s a time to network, collaborate, and establish residents who will work toward advancing medicine for life.”
Research topics ranged from infectious diseases and immunization, to ambulatory care, oncology, critical care, medication management and more. Evaluators also offered advice on professional development.
Participants represented more than 20 organizations from North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
Danielle Brown, Pharm.D., of Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Virginia, said she received feedback at REPS that was unlike any other advice she had been given before.
“[REPS] is beneficial because it helps you to be open minded about how you present and how you practice,” she said.
In addition to the research presentations, REPS featured professional development events such as financial management principles, opioid stewardship, and pearl presentations from residency preceptors. The keynote address was given by Penny Shelton, executive director of the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists. She described the ways that pharmacists are involved across the state in stemming the current opioid epidemic. This was followed by a panel discussion that highlighted how different practice sites are working to minimize the burden of the problem.
Throughout the event, participants were able to clearly describe major research projects conducted by pharmacy trainees; identify ways that trainees can further develop their research methodology and manuscript writing skills; outline useful professional information that trainees can use in the progression of their careers; and develop preceptor skills that allow enhance innovation in education and research.