title: A comparison of educational interventions to enhance cultural competency in pharmacy students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the degree to which 3 different educational interventions enhance cultural competency in pharmacy students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students were equally divided among a simulated-patient activity group, a written case-scenarios group, and a formal lecture group. Mean scores for pre- and post-intervention cultural self-assessment surveys were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the simulation group, there were significant positive changes in the cultural skills and cultural desire components; in the case-scenario group, there was a significant positive change in the cultural awareness component; and in the lecture group, there were significant positive changes in the cultural skills and cultural empathy components. With respect to the cultural skills component, there was greater post-intervention improvement in the simulation and lecture groups than in the case-scenario group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were significant positive changes within each group, indicating that ideologies and behaviors may be altered based on the educational intervention received. However, a 1-hour practicum may not be sufficient to enhance cultural competency.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. ibrahimsales@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jonkman
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: Deanne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000193:education*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D016544:Patient Simulation; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cultural competency; pharmacy students; simulated patients; written case scenarios