Assessing implementation of cultural competency content in the curricula of colleges of pharmacy in the United States and Canada

Objectives. To assess the presence of curricular and organizational content related to cultural competency within colleges of pharmacy in the United States and Canada. Methods. Curriculum committee chairs (n = 87) and student leaders (n = 54) in colleges of pharmacy in the United States and Canada were surveyed via an e-mailed assessment tool. Results. Forty-nine (56.3%) curriculum committee chairs and 27 (50%) student leaders returned usable responses. Respondents reported that cultural competency was mentioned in 61.2% of their mission statements, and half had made curricular changes with respect to diversity within the past 5 years. Almost 94% felt the necessity to add cultural competency topics to required courses in the curriculum, and 42.9% wanted to add a course specific to cultural competency into the curriculum. Conclusion. Curriculum committee chairs recognize the need to add curricular content related to cultural competency, but not all of the respondents have implemented changes in their college's curriculum.