Organization and Programming of Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group-Affiliated Student Chapters

Background: Following recognition of the first pediatric pharmacy student chapter by the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) in February 2011, the number of PPAG-affiliated student chapters has grown to 31 as of January 2016. Currently, there is limited information on chapter sponsored outreach and service opportunities or professional development of student members. The objective of this study is to characterize and share outreach and service programming sponsored by PPAG-affiliated student chapters.

Methods: An email invitation with a request for one student member and one faculty advisor from each PPAG-affiliated student chapter to participate in an online survey was distributed to a list of PPAG-affiliated student chapters on February 4, 2016. The survey asked multiple choice and free response questions about the demographics of the respondent, chapter structure, as well as chapter outreach, service, and professional opportunities. Responses were collected from February 4, 2016 to February 20, 2016.

Results: A total of 29 participants responded, with 18 unique respondents (14 students and 4 faculty) completing the entire survey for a chapter response rate of 45% (14/31). Student respondents indicated that chapters most commonly participated in fundraisers (78.6%), collaboration (64.3%) with pediatric advocacy groups (i.e., College Mentors for Kids) and professional organizations (i.e., ASHP), or health fair participation (50%). Twelve chapters (86%) reported interactions with pediatric health care practitioners, most commonly through meeting presentations (83.3%, 10/12) and professional panels (75%, 9/12). Student chapter representation at the PPAG annual meeting increased 700% from 2013 (1 chapter) to 2015 (8 chapters).

Conclusion: Student chapters affiliated with PPAG are offering and participating in varying outreach, service, and development experiences aimed at promoting optimal pediatric medication utilization and developing student members. Sharing the results of this study may encourage more student chapter growth and increased PPAG student engagement and annual meeting attendance.