Racial, Ethnic, and Sex Diversity Trends in Health Professions Programs From Applicants to Graduates.

Importance: Diversity is an essential element of an effective health care system. A key to developing a diverse workforce is establishing a diverse student population in health professions programs. Objective: To examine the diversity of students in Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs with emphasis on the trends of underrepresented minoritized groups (American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander) and sex relative to the overall age-adjusted US population. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used deidentified, self-reported data from 2003 to 2019 from the Association of American Medical Colleges, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, American Dental Education Association, American Dental Association, and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Data analysis was performed from 2003 to 2004 and from 2018 to 2019. Exposures: Data on the race, ethnicity, and sex of applicants, matriculants, and degrees conferred by health professions programs were collected and compared with the age-adjusted population in the US Census (aged 20-34 years) over time. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes were trends in the proportions of underrepresented minoritized groups and sex diversity among applicants, matriculants, and degrees conferred relative to the overall age-adjusted US population. Trends were measured using the representation quotient, which is defined as the ratio of the proportion of each subgroup to the total population of applicants, matriculants, or graduates relative to the proportion for that subgroup within the US Census population of similar age. Regression analysis was used to evaluate the trend over time. Results: A total of 594 352 applicants were analyzed across the examined programs. From 2003 to 2019, the proportions of individuals from underrepresented groups increased for DDS and DMD (applicants, from 1003 of 8176 to 1962 of 11 298 [5.1%]; matriculants, from 510 of 4528 to 966 of 6163 [4.2%]; degrees awarded, from 484 of 4350 to 878 of 6340 [2.7%]), PharmD (applicants, from 9045 of 71 966 to 11 653 of 50 482 [9.0%]; matriculants, from 5979 of 42 627 to 10 129 to 62 504 [6.3%]; degrees awarded, from 922 of 7770 to 2190 of 14 800 [3.0%]), and DO (applicants, from 740 of 6814 to 3478 of 21 090 [5.4%]; degrees awarded, 199 of 2713 to 582 of 6703 [1.4%]) programs, but decreased for MD programs (applicants, from 6066 of 34 791 to 7889 of 52 777 [-2.3%]; matriculants, 2506 of 16 541 to 2952 of 21 622 [-2.4%]; degrees awarded, from 2167 of 15 829 to 2349 of 19 937 [-0.1%]). Compared with age-adjusted US Census data, all programs had more Asian students and fewer male, American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander students (representation quotient <1). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study, most of the health professions in the study saw increases in underrepresented minority applicants, matriculants, and degrees conferred from 2003 to 2019; however, all programs were below the age-adjusted US Census data. The increased racial, ethnic, and sex diversity in the programs illustrates progress, but additional strategies are needed to achieve a more representative health care workforce.

Feeding the Soul via Creation of a Suborganization to Promote a Sense of Community.

Pharmacy faculty commonly report feeling stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out. Women may be disproportionally impacted by personal and professional demands. The purpose of this commentary is to describe one mechanism for creating a suborganization (Circle) that establishes a supportive community to combat burnout and promote professional fulfillment. This commentary is a description of one American Academy of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Women Faculty Special Interest Group (SIG) Circle. The authors describe how one Circle sought to enhance the well-being of its members through the various domains of the Stanford Model of Professional Fulfillment, including personal resilience, workplace efficiency, and creating a culture of well-being. Circles and similar frameworks may be effective tools for combatting burnout, improving fulfillment, and promoting wellness and well-being among women and other groups of faculty.

Administration and Evaluation of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Curriculum Quality Surveys in Pharmacy Schools.

Objective. To evaluate how pharmacy programs administer and evaluate American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) curriculum quality perception surveys for continuous quality improvement, and to compare usage across the academy to the Principles of Good Use: AACP Quality Perception Surveys document.Methods. A 27-item survey instrument examining how schools used the curriculum quality survey was created and administered between March and June 2019 to assessment contacts of accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy. Descriptive statistics were performed for each survey item.Results. Of the 140 programs invited to participate, 88 (62.8%) responded. Curriculum quality survey data were triangulated with additional existing data (39.8%) or additional data sources were collected for triangulation with the survey data (54.5%). Programs reported on modifications made in the following areas: curriculum (85.2%), communication (75.0%), student services (68.2%), policy and process (61.4%), and professional development (53.4%). Most programs reported the assessment lead was responsible for oversight of the curriculum quality survey.Conclusion. Of respondents, 66% were familiar with the AACP Principles of Good Use document, and results indicate that institutions are generally following the recommendations. Survey analysis revealed that a significant number of programs are utilizing curriculum quality survey data for making meaningful programmatic improvements. Future work should center on further development of best practices for schools and colleges of pharmacy to effectively use the CQS data for continuous quality improvement.

Assessing empathy and self-efficacy levels of pharmacy students in an elective diabetes management course.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a 6-week patient/provider interaction simulation on empathy and self-efficacy levels of diabetes management skills in third-year pharmacy students. DESIGN: Pharmacy students enrolled in a diabetes elective course were paired to act as a patient with diabetes or as a provider assisting in the management of that patient during a 6-week simulation activity. After 3 weeks, students switched roles. The simulation was designed with activities to build empathy. ASSESSMENT: The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) and a self-efficacy survey were administered to assess change in empathy and confidence levels from baseline to the end of the activity. Completion of the activity resulted in significant improvement in total JSE scores. Additionally, significant improvements in overall self-efficacy scores regarding diabetes management were noted. CONCLUSION: The 6-week patient/provider interaction simulation improved empathy and self-efficacy levels in third-year pharmacy students.

Diabetes management in Commercial Driver License holders.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate diabetes management in Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders, how prescribing habits change when treating this patient population, and health care providers' knowledge of regulations concerning insulin use in CDL holders. METHODS: A survey was posted on the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) Communities of Interest websites and was open for 2 weeks. The anonymous survey collected demographic data and evaluated the perspectives of health care providers on diabetes management in CDL holders. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey results. RESULTS: A total of 139 AADE members responded to the survey, and 22.2% were prescribing providers. Findings from the survey indicated an overall lack of knowledge by health care professionals regarding the current laws affecting diabetes management in CDL holders. Most participants emphasized the need for making decisions on CDL suspension on a case-by-case basis, and some expressed concern that current laws may not be appropriate. CONCLUSION: Additional diabetes education for health care providers who treat CDL holders is warranted as many health care providers were not familiar with current regulations and management strategies.