The Importance of Trust in Pharmacy Care
Increasing the pipeline of Black Doctors of Pharmacy: Dr. Jones (2023) highlights a critical component of community health: trust. Members of the Black community often prioritize healthcare providers who are honest and straightforward. This relationship is a two-way street; patients must feel comfortable being direct with their providers to achieve the best possible health outcomes.
Interestingly, pharmacies that prioritize a welcoming atmosphere often see higher levels of resident engagement regarding their health and wellness.
Understanding the Influence on Student Career Choices
Building on Part 1 of this series, we look back at the research by Anderson and Associates (2008) regarding what influences students to pursue a pharmacy career. A significant factor identified by Hickey and colleagues (2019) is the role of pre-health advisors.
- The Gateway: Advisors are often the first formal contact a student has with a health profession.
- The Impact: A well-informed advisor with a positive perception of pharmacy can significantly boost a student’s educational perseverance.
- The Challenge: Anderson’s research found that college-level advisors and instructors often unintentionally direct students toward medicine rather than other health careers, such as pharmacy.
Strategic Growth vs. Short-Term Gains
Addressing declining enrollment requires more than just aggressive recruiting. Pavuluri and associates (2019) argue that pharmacy programs must avoid “quick fixes” that could lead to long-term failures. Instead, the profession needs a:
“Proactive, strategic approach that safeguards the quality of pharmacy professionals and their role in addressing the needs of patients and communities.”
Schools are encouraged to adopt sustainable plans that align with both the scope of the profession and the specific demands of the community.
Solutions: Strengthening the PharmD Pipeline
The influences for pursuing a pharmacy degree are remarkably similar across diverse student groups. To effectively increase the pipeline of Black PharmD students, several strategies should be considered:
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Highlight the diverse benefits and career paths within the pharmacy profession.
- Direct Contact Programs: Create initiatives that bring students into direct contact with practicing pharmacists.
- Specialized Advising: Pruitt and associates (2023) emphasize that profession-specific advising is a powerful tool to address enrollment challenges.
- Resource Portals: Professional development organizations should consider building a resource portal for advising practices, similar to the model used by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
The Bottom Line
Adopting high-quality, targeted advising approaches will likely lead to a positive shift in professional school enrollment, overall student success, and—most importantly—educational access for traditionally underserved populations. The Narrative Matters!
References
- Anderson Jr, D. C., et al. (2008). Influences on pharmacy students’ decision to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 72(2).
- Jones, L. (2023). Black and History: Why Black Owned Pharmacies and Wellness Centers Matter. The Narrative Matters.
- HBCU Schools Offering Pharmacy Doctoral Degrees (2022). hbcu-colleges.com.
- Hickey, E., et al. (2019). Prospective health professions students’ misperceptions about pharmacists. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 83(6).
- Pavuluri, N., et al. (2019). Consideration of aggressive and strategic approaches to address declining enrollment in US pharmacy schools. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 83(6).
- Pruitt, S., et al. (2023). Increasing the PharmD Pipeline, Encouraging Student Success, and Supporting the Underserved Through Pre-Pharmacy Advising. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 87(2).
#BlackDoctors #PharmacyPipeline #HealthEquity
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