PHAR6909: Applied Cultural Competence in Patient Care and Pharmacy Practice

This course builds on content learned in PharmD program - to provide students with fundamental knowledge, skills and attitudes required of culturally competent, caring general pharmacist practitioners. Content is integrated with didactic courses and prepares students for IPPE and APPE experiences, as well as for their future careers. Steady changes in the demographics of the U.S. and the state of Minnesota highlight the demand for cultural awareness and sensitivity in the clinical environment as the percentage of racial, ethnic and cultural minorities in America is projected to continue to outpace the number of minority health care professionals. Racial and ethnic disparities in health and health care access have been recognized in the United States for over 30 years. Despite an improved life expectancy for all races and ethnicities, inequities in morbidity and mortality rates and utilization of preventative and necessary health care services persist for various segments of the population. As the United States’ population becomes increasingly diverse, pharmacists are becoming progressively more responsible for the health care management of people from various races, ethnicities, languages and cultures. Providing culturally and linguistically competent health care to these patients has the potential to reduce ever important disparities in health and health care services and to improve the nation’s overall health outcomes.

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