Racial Differences in Communication Apprehension and Interprofessional Socialization in Fourth-Year Doctor of Pharmacy Students

• In Event: 33.033 - Research on Training Professionals for Practice in a Multicultural Society

Abstract

Enrollment of minority students in Pharmacy schools has slowly increased over time. The purpose of this study is to examine racial differences in communication apprehension (CA) and interprofessional socialization (IS) in 4th-year Doctor of Pharmacy students at a university with a large minority population. Participants (N = 114) completed a survey containing CA and IS scales. The results indicated that African-American (AA) students had lower mean CA scores than Caucasians (p = .001) and Asians (p < .001), and higher mean IS scores than Asians (p = .022). Results can guide university educators/administrators in structuring Pharmacy curricula to maintain AA students’ communication confidence and openness to interprofessional teamwork (i.e., and also reduce CA and increase IS in other racial groups).

Authors

• Aryn C. Karpinski, Kent State University - Kent

• Joseph M LaRochelle, Xavier University of Louisiana

• Sheila W. Chauvin, Louisiana State University - Health Sciences Center New Orleans