If like produces like, do we like where we are going?

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Professional Development
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• Pharmacists exhibit a notable lack of professional advocacy.
• This commentary explores contributing factors to this professional deficit.
• A reflective model is used to analyze the issue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss potential reasons for the lack of professional advocacy among pharmacists.
• To analyze the role of student pharmacists' inherent strengths and weaknesses in this context.
• To examine the impact of curricular expectations on professional advocacy development.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of CliftonStrengths® themes in pharmacy students across 14 cohorts at two US colleges.
• Assessment of student self-identified leadership practice weaknesses (Kouzes and Posner).
• Exploration of potential links between student/faculty tendencies and curriculum design.

Main Results:

• Pharmacy students commonly exhibit strengths in Executing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking domains.
• The Influencing domain, crucial for advocacy, was underrepresented in top strengths.
• Students reported weaknesses in 'Challenge the Process' and 'Inspire a Shared Vision' leadership practices.

Conclusions:

• The pharmacy profession's lack of evolution may stem from inherent student/faculty traits and inadequate focus on advocacy in accreditation standards.
• Pharmacy educators must adopt a holistic approach, integrating professional advocacy into curricula.
• Failure to prioritize advocacy training jeopardizes the profession's future and patient advocacy commitment.