Under what conditions can a preceptor supervise more than two interns at a time?

The answer is grounded in regulations concerning pharmacy practice and the supervision of interns. In Oregon, a preceptor may supervise more than two interns at one time specifically when it relates to public health outreach programs that do not involve direct patient care. This flexibility is designed to support public health initiatives where the direct supervision requirements may be adjusted because the focus is on broader health education and outreach rather than direct patient interactions.

This scenario allows preceptors to engage more interns in activities that contribute to community health while still adhering to regulatory standards. As a result, the emphasis here is on enhancing public health efforts and accommodating the training of interns in a practical setting where fewer stringent supervision levels are permissible.

In contrast, supervising more than two interns in private practice settings, during pharmacy school examinations, or based solely on a preceptor's prior experience does not align with existing regulations. These environments typically require a more structured and direct supervisory capacity to ensure safe and effective patient care, thereby enforcing the limitations on the number of interns a preceptor can manage at one time.