Analysis of Experiential Education Absence Policies for Mental Health Criteria.

Abstract

This study investigates the language used in experiential education resources from 144 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited Schools of Pharmacy regarding mental health-related absences. While attendance policies at Schools of Pharmacy accommodate medical conditions, the lack of explicit mental health language can leave students uncertain about what is considered excused. Analyzing experiential education resources, the study found that 55% of available documents explicitly stated experiential education attendance requirements but only 3% included explicit mental health terminology for absences. Commonly used terms were non-mental health specific, such as 'illness' and 'medical emergency.' This highlights a lack of explicit mental health language in experiential education attendance policies and the need for further research on its impact on students' absence requests for mental health reasons. This research contributes to discussions on enhancing mental health support in higher education, aiming to normalize mental health as criteria for excused absences in pharmacy programs.