More than a buzz word: Building diversity, equity, and inclusion into pharmacy residency recruitment

Abstract

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are increasingly recognized as important within the health care environment, however, persons of marginalized backgrounds remain underrepresented in the health care workforce. In recent years, pharmacy organizations have risen to the national call to address structural racism by summoning an increased focus on DEI within the profession, including post‐graduate pharmacy training programs. Despite this increased focus, specific steps to increase DEI and decrease discrimination within individual programs remain difficult to ascertain. In this “How To” article, we discuss steps taken to increase DEI within a pharmacy residency program at a major academic medical center including changes made to residency recruitment practices and preceptor education.

Postgraduate pharmacy training: Much progress and much more to do

“…Hamilton et al present perspectives of Black pharmacy students regarding the residency recruitment process and use these insights to provide specific steps that can be taken by residency program directors to improve DEI during the recruitment, application, and interview process 14 . Hovey et al share their experience with targeted changes in the residency recruitment processes and preceptor development to increase DEI within a residency program at a major academic medical center 15 . Despite an increased focus on DEI‐related initiatives in recent years, there is a general lack of structured, intentional health equity training in postgraduate pharmacy training—we have more to do!…”

“…share their experience with targeted changes in the residency recruitment processes and preceptor development to increase DEI within a residency program at a major academic medical center. 15 Despite an increased focus on DEI-related initiatives in recent years, there is a…”

Navigating obstacles: Perspectives of US pharmacy residency directors on non‐US candidates for PGY‐1 residencies: A survey‐based research

“…10 Hovey et al also shared their experience from an academic institution to increase DEI within a residency program. 11 It is important to note that diversity refers to more than just race/ethnicity and gender. 12 It also encompasses nationality, age, religion, etc.…”

Reply to comment on “Evaluation of pharmacy residency recruitment and interview processes during the COVID‐19 pandemic”

“…1,2 We agree that there are benefits to virtual recruitment, as evidenced by the cited work. 3,4 However, the decisions on whether to move to virtual versus hybrid versus onsite residency recruitment and interviews postpandemic are complex and multifactorial. Because we are still acclimating in this post-pandemic world, it may not be feasible to go back to a "one-size-fits-all" approach.…”