Holding pharmacy educators accountable in the wake of the anti-racism movement: A call to action

Representation of diversity within written patient cases: Exploring the presence of a “hidden curriculum”

“…There are urgent calls to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination across pharmacy education and practice. [1][2][3] Eleven recommendations have been proposed for the profession in response to these calls. 1 Recommendations include actions related to policy reviews, staff and student recruitment and retention, self-learning and growth, equity in leadership opportunities, and the creation of administrative processes and committees that are tasked to address systemic racism and support workplace-based inclusion efforts.…”

“…As a response to these calls for action, pharmacy educators must do their part by implementing the recommendations to identify, resolve, and prevent further systemic discrimination within academic training programs. 2,3 Efforts must also recognize systemic discrimination in program materials, work to improve representation of underrepresented groups within learning exercises, and create intentional time and space for dialog to discuss these nuances with colleagues and students. 1,4,5 A concept that has been discussed in medical education but not yet adequately addressed in pharmacy education is the presence of a "hidden curriculum" within our learning materials that is unintended but may result in the learning of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviors that could either positively or negatively influence a student's development.…”

“…There are urgent calls to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination across pharmacy education and practice 1‐3 . Eleven recommendations have been proposed for the profession in response to these calls 1 .…”

“…Extending beyond the focus on systemic racism, these recommendations are also applicable to systemic discrimination against other underrepresented populations, including those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and those with disabilities and intersectionality therein. As a response to these calls for action, pharmacy educators must do their part by implementing the recommendations to identify, resolve, and prevent further systemic discrimination within academic training programs 2,3 . Efforts must also recognize systemic discrimination in program materials, work to improve representation of underrepresented groups within learning exercises, and create intentional time and space for dialog to discuss these nuances with colleagues and students 1,4,5 …”