Incorporation of Diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism (DEIA) principles into the pharmacy classroom: An exploratory review

Introduction

The objective is to gather evidence on ways to integrate DEIA into the didactic and experiential pharmacy classroom based on AACP's 2021–2024 Strategic Plan Objective 3.3.1. to “compile and publish resources related to best practices in inclusive pedagogy, creating inclusive classrooms, navigating difficult conversations, and promoting equitable campus climates for use by schools and colleges of pharmacy.”.³

Methods

An exploratory review was conducted to identify literature using journals, including Academic Medicine, the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (AJPE), AACP poster abstracts from 2018 and onward, Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning (CPTL), JAMA Surgery, Journal of Dental Education (JDE), and Minority Nurse Magazine. Keywords used were “DEIA,” “DEIA in classrooms,” “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” “microaggression,” “disabilities,” “pharmacy education,” “health equity,” “discrimination,” “unconscious bias,” “cultural humility,” and “cultural competence.” Excluded were literature focused on DEIA in “curriculum,” “recruitment,” and other topics unrelated to integrating DEIA in the classroom. Poster abstract authors were contacted directly to get a copy of the poster so that more information could be gathered from the poster.

Results

Sixteen publications were identified (14 peer-reviewed manuscripts and two poster abstracts). Of those, two explored the utilization of technology to make lesson plans more inclusive; seven discussed ways for students to address implicit biases, microaggressions, and navigating difficult conversations; five focused on accommodating students with disabilities; one discussed developing better pronunciation of students' names; and one discussed a method to improve student's self-awareness and awareness of other cultures.

Conclusion

Although evidence was found on integrating DEIA into the didactic and experiential settings, the amount of evidence found is limited, warranting further research.