Creating a pharmacy elective course in Indigenous health

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Indigenous Health
• Cultural Safety

Background:

• Critical need for Indigenous health education and cultural safety training for pharmacists.
• Lack of specialized curriculum in pharmaceutical care for Indigenous populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• Describe the creation, development, and impact of Canada's first undergraduate elective course on pharmaceutical care in Indigenous health.

Main Methods:

• Developed and offered a three-credit elective course at the University of British Columbia.
• Utilized diverse pedagogical approaches: reflection, educational trips, community video conferencing, and projects.
• Evaluated impact through surveys, enrollment data, and student work analysis.

Main Results:

• 101 students participated from 2012-2017.
• Students rated curriculum design and pedagogy highly (average 4.7/5).
• Thematic analysis revealed positive instructor qualities, unique curriculum, and significant student impact.

Conclusions:

• The course provides a rare opportunity for pharmacy students to learn about cultural safety in Indigenous pharmaceutical care.
• High student ratings and impact underscore the course's value.
• This initiative is crucial for the Indigenization of pharmacy curricula.