EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe 2015-2017 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Special Taskforce on Diversifying our Investment in Human Capital was appointed for a two-year term, due to the rigors and complexities of its charges. This report serves as a white paper for academic pharmacy on diversifying our investment in human capital. The Taskforce developed and recommended a representation statement that was adapted and adopted by the AACP House of Delegates at the 2016 AACP Annual Meeting. In addition, the Taskforce developed a diversity statement for the Association that was adopted by the AACP Board of Directors in 2017. The Taskforce also provides recommendations to AACP and to academic pharmacy in this white paper.

Objective. To examine the self-administered Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) and assess the perceived level of cultural competence of students in Xavier University of Louisiana Col...

Although it has been well documented that poor health literacy is associated with limited participation in cancer clinical trials, studies assessing the relationships between cancer health literacy (CHL) and participation in research among diverse populations are lacking. In this study, we examined the relationship between CHL and willingness to participate in cancer research and/or donate bio-specimens (WPRDB) among African Americans, Latinos, and Whites. Participants completed the Cancer Health Literacy Test and the Multidimensional Cancer Literacy Questionnaire. Total-scale and subscale scores, frequencies, means, and distributions were computed. Analyses of variance, the Bonferroni procedure, and the Holm method were used to examine significant differences among groups. Cronbach’s alphas estimated scales’ internal consistency reliability. Significant interactions were found between race/ethnicity, gender, and CHL on WPRDB scales and subscale scores, even after education and age were taken into account. Our study confirms that CHL plays an important role that should be considered and researched further. The majority of participants were more willing to participate in non-invasive research studies (surveys, interviews, and training) or collection of bio-specimens (saliva, check cells, urine, and blood) and in studies led by their own healthcare providers, and local hospitals and universities. However, participants were less willing to participate in more-invasive studies requiring them to take medications, undergo medical procedures or donate skin/tissues. We conclude that addressing low levels of CHL and using community-based participatory approaches to address the lack of knowledge and trust about cancer research among diverse populations may increase not only their willingness to participate in research and donate bio-specimens, but may also have a positive effect on actual participation rates.

Using the Self-Assessment of Perceived Level of Cultural Competence (SAPLCC) questionnaire, frequencies, means, and ANOVAS were determined to create medical and pharmacy student profiles of cultural competence. Profiles were used to identify needs for training and underscore critical issues that should be given priority in the curriculum. Significant differences were found in several domains of cultural competence (knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities); they may be explained by differences in the implementation of a pilot curriculum, the racial composition of students in both programs, and other characteristics. However, in the awareness domain, the main differences found may be explained only by respondents’ attitudes and their personal experiences. Results confirm the importance of examining the racial dynamics factor and the need to address this sensitive topic early in the academic programs so students are prepared more fully to have sincere and meaningful encounters with their patients during the clinical years and as health care providers.