(165) Integration of Health Disparities Activities and Assessment of Student Perceptions within Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Objective : To evaluate changes in advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPE) students’ confidence, knowledge, and perceptions of health disparities before and after completing assigned readings and health disparities cases while providing care to indigent and vulnerable patients.

Methods: Four full-time pharmacy practice faculty members who precept students for primary care APPEs partnered during 2019 – 2021 to incorporate case-based activities focused on health disparities. Cases included patients with diabetes, asthma, and older adults with multiple comorbidities who had a loss or change in insurance, reached the Medicare coverage gap, and/or had limited regional healthcare access. Pre and post surveys were administered to APPE students on these rotations. Survey participation was voluntary but strongly encouraged. The survey evaluated students’ confidence in addressing health disparities, identifying risk factors and resources to address health disparities, and their overall perception of health disparities along with a case incorporating these concepts. Data were deidentified and analyzed quantitatively.

Results: Thirty-five APPE students completed both the pre and post-rotation surveys. Students’ confidence in their ability to identify and help patients with health disparities significantly increased from the pre to post survey. Students indicated a significant increase in their willingness to work with patients with limited resources and a stronger belief in the importance of addressing health disparities following the experience.

Conclusions: After completion of a primary care APPE with an indigent, vulnerable population and focused health disparities activities, students had a greater understanding of and confidence in managing health disparities. Students’ perceptions of and willingness to address health disparities improved after these focused activities. These activities were not time intensive for the preceptors or students.