An Opportunity for Cultural Sensitivity Curriculum Integration
Instructors of pharmacy skills-based laboratory courses are positioned to prepare students as practice-ready practitioners through use of hands-on instructional activities essential for pharmacists. This commentary explores an approach to developing the skill of cultural sensitivity, which is reflected in Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standard 3.5 and viewed by commentary authors as a critical skill for all healthcare practitioners. This commentary challenges the Academy to develop best practices in promoting cultural sensitivity in student-learners with the goal to produce students aware of how their own experiences may influence health inequities. The authors propose, using the model of self-efficacy theory as a framework, that skills-based pharmacy education is an ideal platform for cultural sensitivity skill development and engagement through its ability to go beyond knowledge attainment and influence student abilities, behaviors, and attitudes. Author recommendations include that members of the Academy self-assess personal and institutional cultural sensitivity, ensure integration of cultural sensitivity in curriculum, use self-efficacy theory as a guide to integrate best practices for providing culturally sensitive care in lab activities, and develop best practices.