PharmD Education Program Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Aligning Accreditation, Curricula, and the Oath

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Health Equity
• Professional Ethics

Background:

• The 2021 Oath of a Pharmacist now includes a commitment to health equity.
• This necessitates a review of how diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA) are addressed in pharmacy education.
• Current accreditation standards and curricula may not fully align with these updated professional values.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the implications of the revised Oath of a Pharmacist on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs and accreditation.
• To propose strategies for integrating DEIA concepts into pharmacy education and programmatic processes.
• To advocate for intentional integration of DEIA, rather than simply adding new requirements.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the updated Oath of a Pharmacist statement.
• Review of the responsibilities of PharmD programs and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
• Consideration of recommendations from external expert bodies with complementary frameworks for DEIA integration.

Main Results:

• The updated Oath mandates a focus on advancing health equity through inclusion, diversity, and justice.
• PharmD programs and ACPE must actively reconsider and integrate DEIA into their structures.
• Intentional integration of DEIA into existing processes is achievable through alignment with accreditation standards and the Oath.

Conclusions:

• The pharmacy profession's foundation, embodied by the Oath, requires a commitment to DEIA.
• Alignment between accreditation standards, PharmD programs, and the Oath is crucial for advancing health equity.
• Integrating DEIA principles into programmatic delivery ensures graduates are prepared to promote inclusion and justice in healthcare.