Designing an online cultural communication module for pharmacy students across three countries

Abstract

Background and purposeHealth care professionals are required to interact with increasingly diverse cultural groups and complexity of culture. The purpose of this study was to design and disseminate an online cultural communication module for use by pharmacy students across three countries. Educational activity and settingThree pharmacy schools from Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom developed 18 role-play videos demonstrating interactions between pharmacists and patients from diverse cultural groups. Videos were incorporated into an online module and implemented within each school's existing skills laboratory and/or communication curricula in 2019. Students completed a survey and a reflection at the module's end. Open-ended responses were analyzed qualitatively using an inductive approach. FindingsNinety-five percent of students (n = 500) across the three schools attempted the module. A total of 89% agreed the videos were useful in helping them understand the language and terms relating to cultural awareness in pharmacy, and 90% agreed the module helped them learn approaches to communicate with culturally diverse people in pharmacy. However, some students found the module lengthy and experienced technical issues with the platform. The majority of students identified awareness of cultural differences, respect for patient, and a person-centered approach as important when communicating with patients. SummaryThere is a growing need for appropriate training models to enhance cross-cultural skills and cultural awareness in health care professional training such as pharmacy. Collaborating internationally to develop a teaching innovation focused on widening understanding of culture and added to the depth of learning.