(321) Preceptor Perceptions and Preference of Pass/Fail and Letter Grading for Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Objective : To evaluate perceptions and preferences between pass/fail and letter grading of advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) among preceptors for Tennessee colleges of pharmacy (COP).

Methods: A 37-item survey instrument was developed and distributed to preceptors for any of the six Tennessee COP who trained two or more students during the 2022-2023 academic year. The survey included questions assessing demographics and APPE grading perceptions, practices, and preference. Responses were summarized using descriptive statistics and comparisons were made at the a priori level of .05.

Results: Completed surveys were submitted by 383 of 869 eligible preceptors (44% response rate), including 175 (46%) who precept for multiple COP. Respondent practice types included acute care (28%), ambulatory care (13%), community practice (22%), internal medicine (13%), and institutional practice (14%). Precepting experience was < 2 years (8%), 2-5 years (27%), 6-10 years (22%) and >10 years (43%). Of respondents, 69% agreed they would be concerned students would be less motivated using pass/fail grading vs. letter grading. Additionally, 66% believed they would be concerned about having less ability to distinguish between highest and lowest performing students, and 46% agreed they would be concerned the quality of their feedback would be less using pass/fail grading. When asked specifically, 25% of preceptors preferred pass/fail grading, 55% preferred letter grading, 14% had no preference, and 6% wanted additional information. Significant differences were not found to exist between any question response (eg, student motivation, distinguishing students, quality feedback) and preceptor demographics.

Conclusions: Preceptors across all practice types and with varying years of experience expressed concerns regarding pass/fail grading vs. letter grading. Most Tennessee COP preceptor survey respondents prefer letter grading over pass/fail for APPEs.