Pharmacy students’ actual and perceived knowledge of issues related to underserved populations across the professional curriculum

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to measure student pharmacists’ actual and perceived knowledge of issues related to medically underserved populations. MethodsAll 430 student pharmacists enrolled in the professional pharmacy program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy during the 2011–2012 academic year were eligible to participate. Students took the Underserved Knowledge Assessment, a voluntary survey that included ten demographic questions, 13 items assessing perceived knowledge, and 20 questions assessing actual knowledge. ResultsThe overall response rate was 48% (N = 208). The majority of students were only somewhat confident in their knowledge of underserved populations (17% very knowledgeable, 65% somewhat knowledgeable, and 18% not at all knowledgeable). The average score on the actual knowledge questions was 53.3%. Scores were higher across the first three years (P1, 53.2%; P2, 55.3%; and P3, 59.2%), but were significantly lower in the fourth year (46.1%; p = 0.001). Scores did not vary significantly by baseline demographic characteristics. ConclusionFourth-year professional students were less knowledgeable than their third-year counterparts, possibly due to less formal education and exposure to issues related to underserved populations. The gaps found in student pharmacist knowledge may be addressed by creating more continuity regarding this topic across the didactic and experiential learning curriculum.