title: A Spanish language and culture initiative for a doctor of pharmacy curriculum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To implement a Spanish language and culture initiative in a doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) curriculum that would improve students' Spanish language skills and cultural competence so that graduates could provide competent pharmaceutical care to Spanish-speaking patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five elective courses were created and introduced to the curriculum including 2 medical Spanish courses; a medical Spanish service-learning course; a 2-week Spanish language and cultural immersion trip to Mexico; and an advanced practice pharmacy experience (APPE) at a medical care clinic serving a high percentage of Spanish-speaking patients. Advisors placed increased emphasis on encouraging pharmacy students to complete a major or minor in Spanish.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Enrollment in the Spanish language courses and the cultural immersion trip has been strong. Twenty-three students have completed the APPE at a Spanish-speaking clinic. Eleven percent of 2010 Butler University pharmacy graduates completed a major or minor in Spanish compared to approximately 1% in 2004 when the initiative began.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A Spanish language and culture initiative started in 2004 has resulted in increased Spanish language and cultural competence among pharmacy students and recent graduates.
authors: Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA. kvantyle@butler.edu
authors: W Kent
authors: WK
authors: VanTyle
authors: Gala
authors: G
authors: Kennedy
authors: Michael A
authors: MA
authors: Vance
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Hancock
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007802:Language; D013339:Students, Pharmacy