An Exploratory Survey of Incorporation of Gender- and Sex-related Differences in the PharmD Curricula

Abstract

Specific Aims: To assess student pharmacists’ comfort level with sex- and gender-related differences in their curricula. Methods: A REDCap questionnaire was administered to first- through fourth-year pharmacy students at the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy from October 2022- January 2023 to assess comfort level on gender- and sex-related differences on various health topics. Data were summarized using median and interquartile range for each question. Free response questions were read and assessed for common themes. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 68 students (males=13, females=55; first-year=17, second-year=10, third-year=27, fourth-year=16). Students reported most comfort in osteoporosis (39.7% comfortable) and urinary tract infection (37.7% comfortable), and least comfort in areas such as anticoagulation (23.2% uncomfortable), nephrology (24.6% uncomfortable) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (21.7% uncomfortable). Overall, most students ranked their comfortability between ‘somewhat uncomfortable’ through ‘somewhat comfortable’ for all items. Majority of responses (N=39) indicated students have not taken any elective courses that included information about sex- and gender-related differences. Conclusions: Students felt most comfortable in regard to sex- and gender-related differences in the following disease states: osteoporosis and urinary tract infections. Both these disease states have an epidemiology report that clearly shows that their effect is greater on women than on men, so it makes sense that these differences would be better highlighted in Doctor of Pharmacy curricula. Students were least comfortable with pharmacodynamic sex- and gender-related differences; an interesting finding when considering how these molecular and physiologic factors are important determinants for clinical effectiveness of drug therapy.