The role of the patient and carer voices in modern pharmacy education

Abstract

Introduction

Incorporating patient and caregiver voices into pharmacy education is essential in creating future pharmacists who will be empathic to patient needs, able to communicate well with them and provide person-centered care.

Commentary

Patient and caregivers should be involved in direct teaching activities as well as advising on the curriculum. Examples include incorporating patient/caregiver narratives, asking patients and caregivers to co-teach classes or asking patients to be real case examples during workshops, such as drug history taking, and providing feedback to students on communication skills. Involvement in curriculum design could incorporate a defined patient/caregiver panel and/or patient and caregiver representatives on a wider curriculum committee.

Effective integration of the patient and caregiver voices requires the appropriate infrastructure to be set up and embedded. Training and support are needed for patients and students including briefing and debriefing from teaching sessions. Practical and ethical issues also need to be considered such as funding and accessibility of physical spaces and systems. Continuously evaluating the impact of patient involvement on student learning and curriculum effectiveness and adapting accordingly are essential.

Implications

Moving forwards, institutions should prioritize the systematic integration of patient and caregiver voices throughout their educational programs to prepare professionals who can deliver clinical care that is truly person-centered.