Table 1.
Summary of survey results (percentages/means and ranges reported to enhance readability)
| Age of respondent (n = 212) | 27.2 years (23-49 years) |
|---|---|
| Male to female ratio (n = 204/212) | 33%:67% |
| Program of graduation (n = 210/212) | |
| University of Toronto BScPhm Program | 111 (52.9%) |
| University of Toronto IPG Program | 52 (24.8%) |
| University of Waterloo BScPhm Program | 47 (22.3%) |
| Estimated total student debt load from all sources at graduation (in $) for those students reporting any student debt load (n = 152 of 212 respondents) | Mean: $44,108 ($1000-$130,000) |
| Estimated annual salary/income from all sources of employment as a pharmacist ($) (n = 212/212) | Mean: $81,375 ($41,500-$135,000) |
| Alignment between salary expectations prior to graduation with actual annual salary/income from all sources of employment as a pharmacist (n = 210/212) | |
| Very satisfied with alignment | 25 (12%) |
| Satisfied with alignment | 37 (17.8%) |
| Unsatisfied with alignment | 140 (66.5%) |
| Very unsatisfied with alignment | 8 (3.6%) |
| Type of first professional practice position(s) as a pharmacist (n = 210/212) | |
| Full-time permanent salaried position with benefits | 106 (50.3%) |
| Full-time permanent salaried position without benefits | 14 (6.8%) |
| Multiple part-time salaried positions, all with benefits | 3 (1.7%) |
| Multiple part-time salaried positions, only some or none with benefits | 47 (22.3%) |
| Full-time contract position <6 months in duration | 7 (3.4%) |
| Full-time contract position >6 months in duration | 29 (13.6%) |
| Other (e.g., locum, casual, ad hoc, as-needed, etc.) | 4 (1.9%) |
| Alignment between expectations for type of first professional practice position(s) and actual position itself (n = 210/212) | |
| Very satisfied with alignment | 28 (13.3%) |
| Satisfied with alignment | 89 (42.4%) |
| Unsatisfied with alignment | 71 (33.8%) |
| Very unsatisfied with alignment | 22 (10.5%) |
| General satisfaction with quality of first professional practice position as a pharmacist (n = 210/212) | |
| Very satisfied with quality | 40 (19.4%) |
| Satisfied with quality | 73 (35.2%) |
| Unsatisfied with quality | 65 (30.9%) |
| Very unsatisfied with quality | 32 (15.5%) |
| Length of job search time required to secure first professional practice position (n = 212/212) | |
| ≤1 month | 61 (28.8%) |
| 1-2 months | 11 (5.2%) |
| 2-3 months | 105 (49.5%) |
| 3-4 months | 9 (4.2%) |
| 4-5 months | 2 (0.9%) |
| 5-6 months | 2 (0.9%) |
| >6 months | 22 (10.5%) |
| Number of hours/week of pharmacy employment, across all practice sites (n = 212/212) | Mean: 39.2 hours/week (8-51 hours/week) |
| Alignment between expectations for hours/week employment as a pharmacist and actual hours/week employment as a pharmacist (n = 212/212) | |
| Very satisfied with alignment | 88 (41.5%) |
| Satisfied with alignment | 51 (24.0%) |
| Unsatisfied with alignment | 60 (28.3%) |
| Very unsatisfied with alignment | 13 (6.1%) |
| Alignment between expectations or preferences for geographic location of primary site of practice as a pharmacist and actual geographic location (n = 212/212) | |
| Very satisfied with alignment | 31 (14.6%) |
| Satisfied with alignment | 41 (19.3%) |
| Unsatisfied with alignment | 102 (48.1%) |
| Very unsatisfied with alignment | 39 (18.4%) |
| Changed primary residence specifically for the purpose of employment (n = 212/212) | Yes: 117 (55.2%)
No: 95 (44.8%) |
| If yes, estimated distance moved | Mean: 375 km (4.5-3230 km) |
| Estimated distance from primary residence to primary site of practice (km) | Mean: 11.5 km (0-400 km) |
| Satisfaction with quality of patient care services provided by pharmacy cited as primary place of practice (n = 212/212) | |
| Very satisfied with quality of patient care services provided by pharmacy | 26 (12.3%) |
| Satisfied with quality of patient care services provided by pharmacy | 35 (16.5%) |
| Unsatisfied with quality of patient care services provided by pharmacy | 111 (52.4%) |
| Very unsatisfied with quality of patient care services provided by pharmacy | 40 (18.9%) |
| Overall general satisfaction with all employment and practice conditions associated with first professional practice position as a pharmacist (n = 212/212) | |
| Very satisfied | 41 (19.4%) |
| Satisfied | 74 (35.2%) |
| Unsatisfied | 65 (30.9%) |
| Very unsatisfied | 32 (15.5%) |
| Number of advertisements/recruitment notices responded to prior to securing first professional practice position as a pharmacist (n = 209/212) | Mean = 4.1 (0-50) |
| Number of “cold calls” made to prospective employers (n = 201/212) | Mean = 0.2 (0-10) |
| Number of interviews attended (n = 208/212) | Mean = 2.4 (0-11) |
| Prior to finalizing employment, negotiated with employer to secure better salary, benefits, moving or car allowance, payment of licensing/examination fees, continuing education support, workplace/practice conditions or any other aspects of employment (n = 201/212) | |
| Successfully negotiated change in initial offer related to employment | 38 (18.9%) |
| Negotiated but was unsuccessful in changing initial offer related to employment | 2 (0.9%) |
| Did not negotiate any aspect of employment offer; accepted offer “as-is” | 161 (80.1%) |
Not all respondents answered all questions: n = 212/487 (response rate: 43.5%). Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.