LGBT cultural competency, patient exposure, and curricular education among student pharmacists

Pharmacists are positioned in unique and important roles in health care in their ability to care for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population. For example, pharmacists are a highly prevalent, accessible provider type, and informal surveys have shown that LGBT patients may be more comfortable asking their pharmacists sensitive medication questions rather than their primary provider.

To demonstrate gaps in LGBT cultural competency among student pharmacists and propose specific recommendations on the number of LGBT patient exposures and educational hours that can significantly improve LGBT cultural competency.

Student pharmacists (N = 275) at 3 universities in the United States completed a survey comprising demographics, experiential variables (i.e., number of LGBT patients and LGBT hours), and the 7-point Likert LGBT-Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS). LGBT-DOCSS scores were stratified by 1-point increments, and experiential variable means were computed per each stratification to characterize the mean LGBT patients and hours of student pharmacists with higher scores and those with lower scores.

Student pharmacists reported low numbers of annual LGBT patients (Mean = 3.82, SD = 9.54), annual LGBT curricular hours (Mean = 0.55, SD = 0.95), and annual LGBT extracurricular hours (Mean = 2.50, SD = 15.42). They reported very high attitudinal awareness (Mean = 6.19, SD = 1.02), moderate knowledge (Mean = 5.00, SD = 1.25), and low clinical preparedness (Mean = 3.26, SD = 1.33). Student pharmacists who cared for 25 or more LGBT patients and received 10 or more LGBT total hours reported significantly higher preparedness, knowledge, and overall cultural competency.

Student pharmacists have shortcomings in LGBT cultural competency and limited LGBT patient exposure and education. To improve LGBT cultural competency, pharmacy schools and accrediting bodies should consider ensuring that student pharmacists receive at least a total of 25 LGBT patient contacts and 10 LGBT formal education hours across their pharmacy education.