Purdue University College of Pharmacy is collaborating with CHEqI to develop a series of Interprofessional Education (IPE) experiences for pharmacy students, covering topics related to health equity and social determinants of health.
Pilot activities began during the Spring 2022 semester, with the long-term goal of offering all first-year (P1) and second-year (P2) pharmacy students a minimum of one opportunity per semester. For example, pharmacy students have joined the LGBTQ+ Echo series, hosted by the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health. Purdue College of Pharmacy, in partnership with the University’s LGBTQ Center, also hosted a Transgender Care IPE event in March 2022, which was open to pharmacy students as well as nutrition science & audiology students. During the event, students heard a presentation from a transgender woman, worked through a series of cases related to special considerations for this patient population, and engaged in a candid Q&A session.
These events share a common goal: preparing students to best support all patients by allowing students to have increased conversations in the health science curriculum about DEI topics such as caring for patients of different backgrounds, underrepresented patient populations, trans-inclusive care, and working in a diverse care team.
CHEqI and Purdue College of Pharmacy are exploring further opportunities, with more to come soon.
If you’re interested in getting involved or learning about upcoming IPE opportunities, please contact Zach Weber, Director of Interprofessional Education and Clinical Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Purdue College of Pharmacy, at zaweber@purdue.edu.