(118) Reflection Themes Generated from a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assignment During a P2 Institutional IPPE

Objective : To evaluate the impact of a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) assignment embedded within a second-year (P2) student institutional introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) rotation.

Methods: Three cohorts of P2 students completed a 40-hour institutional IPPE using guided worksheets to structure the learning experience and facilitate preceptor discussions on health disparities, cultural sensitivity, and biases. Students completed post-rotation reflections describing insights gained from their observations and reflections on 1) their own biases, and 2) lessons learned that could be applied towards future interactions with patients and 3) with healthcare professionals. Reflections were analyzed using content analysis. Themes were generated for each of the three reflection questions.

Results: Student reflections (n=249) were evaluated and parent themes were generated for each of the three reflection questions. Themes identified from student reflection on their own biases included recognizing, reflecting, or responding to biases for oneself and patients/providers. Evaluation of reflections from lessons learned that could be applied to patient encounters included the themes of patient-centered care, communications and interactions, ethics in patient interactions, and health disparities. Lastly, parent themes generated from stduent reflection of lessons learned that could be applied toward interactions with healthcare professionals included work culture, and interprofessional teamwork, communication, values and ethics, roles and responsibilities.

Conclusions: The rotation guidesheet encouraged students to examine the healthcare process through the lens of implicit bias and its implications for healthcare delivery. Evaluation of student reflections allowed for insight into the impact of experiential learning including student experiences with health disparities, cultural sensitivity, and biases.