Well-being Content Inclusion in Pharmacy Education Across the United States and Canada

Authors

Elizabeth Buckley
Simi Gunaseelan
Benjamin D Aronson
Heidi N Anksorus
Victoria Belousova
Tram B Cat
Kristine M Cline
Stacey D Curtis
Christina E DeRemer
David Fuentes
McKenzie S Grinalds
Seena L Haines
Hannah E Johnson
Karen Kopacek
Jessica M Louie
Nkem P Nonyel
Natasha Petry
Shawn Riser Taylor
Suzanne C Harris
Cheryl A Sadowski
Anandi V Law

Publication Date

4-1-2023

Journal

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Abstract

Objective. To describe the landscape of well-being content inclusion across schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States and Canada through identification of content implementation, incorporation, and assessment.

Methods. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to all accredited schools and colleges of pharmacy in the United States (n=143) and Canada (n=10). Survey questions included curricular and cocurricular timing, frequency, assessment strategies, and support for well-being initiatives, using a framework of eight dimensions (pillars) of wellness to categorize content.

Results. Descriptive data analyses were applied to 99 completed surveys (65%), 89 (62%) in the United States and 10 (100%) in Canada. Well-being content was most prevalent within the cocurricular realm and incorporated into didactic and elective more than experiential curricula. The most content came from intellectual, emotional, and physical pillars, and the least content came from financial, spiritual, and environmental pillars. Less than 50% of schools and colleges of pharmacy include well-being within their strategic plans or core values. Funding is primarily at the level of the university (59%) or the school or college of pharmacy (59%). Almost half of respondents reported inclusion of some assessment, with a need for more training, expertise, and standardization.

Conclusion. Survey results revealed a wide range of implementation and assessment of well-being programs across the United States and Canada. These results provide a reference point for the state of well-being programs that can serve as a call to action and research across the Academy.

Keywords

Humans, United States, Education, Pharmacy, Cross-Sectional Studies, Schools, Pharmacy, Curriculum, Surveys and Questionnaires, Canada, Students, Pharmacy, pharmacy education, well-being, health, wellness, curricular inclusion

Comments

PMID: 36202422