Enhancing cultural competency in a college of pharmacy curriculum

The objective of this study was to describe the pedagogies used in the University of Minnesota pharmacy curriculum to improve students' abilities to provide culturally competent care to patients. A cultural competency curriculum was introduced in fall 2003 that included a variety of pedagogies: a small group activity, case discussions, BaFa' BaFa' cultural simulation game, and the reading and discussion of cultural narratives. Most activities were associated with a reflective writing assignment. In addition, preintervention survey instruments were administered to 52 entering first-professional year PharmD students in fall 2003, with 48 postintervention survey instruments administered in spring 2004, followed by evaluation of the survey findings. Based on survey results and analysis of reflective papers, students gained an appreciation for the importance of acknowledging cultural differences and understanding how to overcome the barriers that these differences present. Using a variety of effective pedagogies, pharmacy students were able to demonstrate increased understanding of and ability to provide culturally competent care.