Creating brave spaces through the implementation of the Oops, Ouch, Whoa dialogue guide in pharmacy education

To evaluate pharmacy students' perceptions of the Oops, Ouch, Whoa dialogue guide, an inclusive teaching practice, implemented in a first-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) seminar course to foster inclusive communication.

Seventeen first-year PharmD students participated in reflective writing exercises describing their experiences using the dialogue guide. Responses were analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology to identify emerging themes. A team of researchers, including pharmacy education instructors and a CQR expert serving as the auditor, systematically coded and categorized the data to develop themes.

Seventeen students completed the reflection. Seven primary themes emerged from the CQR analysis: Self-reflection and Growth, Safe and Inclusive Environment, Normalizing Making Mistakes, Enhancing Connections, Conflict Resolution, Promoting Understanding and Respect, and Effective Communication.

This pilot study found that the Oops, Ouch, Whoa dialogue guide served as an effective educational tool, facilitating inclusive communication and enhancing professional skills, which are crucial for pharmacy practice in diverse healthcare environments. This approach aligns with contemporary pharmacy education standards, emphasizing communication, cultural humility, and professional identity formation. This study supports the integration of this framework in educational curricula to enrich student learning experiences and prepare them for more inclusive conversations and the diverse and competing needs in healthcare environments.