The Case for Culturally Responsive Teaching in Pharmacy Curricula

Abstract

Cultural diversity training in pharmacy education has evolved from standalone lectures to longitudinal courses, service-learning initiatives, rotation experiences and global health opportunities. Cultural competency frameworks have served as the scaffold for cultural diversity training, yet educators in other health care disciplines have called into question the utility of such frameworks and offered cultural humility as an alternative to foster development and lifelong learning. In order to implement and assess outcomes tied to cultural diversity successfully, this commentary discusses the five elements of culturally responsive teaching that will provide the tools necessary to integrate cultural humility across pharmacy curricula. In addition, we address how to approach faculty development to avoid common maladaptations in pedagogical movements and conclude with addressing the salient objectives to evaluate gains in student, institutional, and societal outcomes.

Effects of Racial Trauma on Black Doctor of Pharmacy Students

“…Additionally, training in microaggressions, implicit bias, and cultural humility may also prove helpful in maintaining a positive social and diversity climate. [40][41][42] Organizations and institutions should be cognizant that Black students are paying attention to what they do and say in response to sociopolitical unrest and are making judgements accordingly. Acknowledging that Black lives matter and devising intentional strategies to support Black students may prove beneficial in maintaining engagement.…”

Integrating Critical Consciousness in Health Professions Education Through Leadership Education and Mentoring

“…While pharmacy student diversity continues to increase, pharmacy faculty diversity has not kept pace (Hagan et al, 2016). Following Sleeter' s (2011) model of cultural diversity perspectives, pharmacy education generally follows a structural orientation, wherein faculty deliver culturally related coursework, address global health initiatives, and make experiences like service-learning readily available to student pharmacists (Rockich-Winston & Wyatt, 2019). This perspective has largely held true despite the criticisms of cultural competency we previously noted earlier in this article and the continued lack of improvement in health disparities in the United States.…”

Development of a Cultural Intelligence Framework in Pharmacy Education

“…21,22 Despite consensus that cultural competency, cultural sensitivity, and cultural awareness are essential for the future of pharmacy practice, there is little guidance available for implementation of cultural training within pharmacy education. [21][22][23] To date, most diversity and cultural competency education and training within pharmacy have been fragmented, outdated, and have lacked a strong conceptual framework to create sustainable transformative change. 21,23 Most pharmacy curricula focus cultural training within the context of health disparities, which has resulted in students linking cultural diversity to negative health outcomes without addressing the root cause of those disparities.…”