A Cross Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Pharmacy Student Perceptions of Readiness to Serve Diverse Populations.
Objective. To examine students' self-perceptions at different stages in a pharmacy curriculum of competence related to serving culturally diverse patients and to compare self-reported competence of a student cohort near the beginning and end of the degree program. Methods. Student perceptions across four pharmacy class years were measured in a cross-sectional survey, with a follow-up longitudinal survey of one cohort three years later. Results. Based on an 81.9% response rate (537/656), scores showed no attitude changes. Reported knowledge, skills, comfort in clinical encounters, and curricular preparedness increased across program years. Fourth-year (P4) pharmacy students reported the highest scores. Scores differed by gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Students in the fourth year scored lower on importance of diversity training. Conclusion. Improved perceptions of readiness (ie, knowledge and behavior) to serve diverse groups suggest the curriculum impacts these constructs, while the invariance of student attitudes and association of self-reports with programmatic outcomes warrant further investigation.
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois.
Stephanie Y
SY
Crawford
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois.
Clara
C
Awé
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida (affiliated with UIC College of Pharmacy at time of study).
Rima H
RH
Tawk
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), College of Pharmacy, Chicago, Illinois.
A
A
Simon Pickard
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000379:methods; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011361:Professional Competence; D012649:Self Concept; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult
cultural diversity; curricular assessment; professional competence; survey