Rebuilding the Pipeline of Black Doctors of Pharmacy (PharmD) Students
Increasing the pipeline of Black Doctors of Pharmacy (PharmD) students is a critical step toward achieving health equity and ensuring the pharmacy profession reflects the diverse communities it serves. To understand how to bolster enrollment, we must look at the specific influences that guide minority students toward the profession and address the systemic challenges currently facing pharmacy education.
What Influences the Pharmacy Career Path?
Research by Anderson and Associates (2008) explored the factors that drive students to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and how these motivations differ across racial groups. By surveying students at the University of Georgia and Florida A&M University (an HBCU), the study identified key “influencers” that shape the minority pharmacy student pipeline.
Key Drivers for Enrollment:
- Personal Encouragement: Most students were spurred to action by family members, practicing pharmacists, or older students.
- Direct Experience: Work and volunteer experiences in clinical or retail settings provided the necessary exposure to the field.
- The “Career Day” Gap: Interestingly, traditional “career day” events were found to be among the least effective methods for recruitment.
The Vital Role of Diversity in Healthcare
Collaboration between pharmacy schools, college advisors, and local associations is essential to expand the pharmacy student demographic. The benefits of a diverse pharmacy workforce extend far beyond the classroom:
- Improved Patient Access: Minority health professionals are statistically more likely to serve in medically underserved areas.
- Enhanced Trust: Research shows that minority patients often prefer healthcare providers who share their racial or ethnic background, leading to higher patient satisfaction.
- Cultural Competency: When students from diverse backgrounds train together, they develop the soft skills and cultural awareness necessary to treat a global population.
According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), diversity in health professions is directly linked to better communication between patients and providers and superior educational outcomes for all students.
Addressing the Enrollment Crisis in Pharmacy Schools
The pharmacy profession is currently navigating a significant “enrollment crisis.” Pruitt and Associates (2023) noted that applications to PharmD programs dropped by nearly 20% between 2017 and 2020. However, pharmacy is not alone; dental and law schools faced similar slumps in previous decades.
Lessons from Other Professions
Dental schools saw a 48% drop in the late 70s, while law schools saw a 37% decrease in the early 2010s. Both fields stabilized their numbers by elevating the role of academic advisors. By transforming advisors from simple administrators into “gatekeepers and recruiters,” these professions were able to revitalize their applicant pools.
Innovative Academic Advising as a Solution
To increase interest in careers for Black pharmacy students, programs must address the “awareness gap.” Many prospective students are unaware of the novel, non-traditional career paths available in modern pharmacy.
- Advisors as Advocates: Pre-pharmacy advisors are the first line of defense against the misperceptions surrounding the profession.
- Structuring the Journey: A 2019 study by Hickey highlights that proactive advising helps students navigate the complex educational journey, ensuring they remain on track for a PharmD career.
The Narrative Matters! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive deeper into strategic recruitment.
References:
Anderson Jr, D. C., Sheffield, M. C., Hill, A. M., & Cobb, H. H. (2008). Influences on pharmacy students’ decision to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 72(2). Influences on Pharmacy Students’ Decision to Pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree – PMC (nih.gov)
HBCU. (2022). HBCU Schools Offering Pharmacy Doctoral Degrees.HBCU Schools Offering Pharmacy Doctoral Degrees (hbcu-colleges.com)
Pavuluri, N., Aparasu, R. R., Boje, K. M., Danielson, J., El-Ibiary, S. Y., Iyer, A. K. V., … & Wargo, K. A. (2019). Consideration of aggressive and strategic approaches to address declining enrollment in US pharmacy schools. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 83(6), 6959. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000294592301536X
Pruitt, S., Darley, A., & Dennison, E. (2023). Increasing the PharmD Pipeline, Encouraging Student Success, and Supporting the Underserved Through Pre-Pharmacy Advising. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 87(2), ajpe8854. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002945923013797
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