Pharmaceutical Education in LGBTQIA+ Health Care: A Scoping Review of Educational Strategies and Barriers

Abstract

Objective: To map and describe training and educational strategies and identify barriers faced in pharmaceutical education on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other identities (LGBTQIA+) health care.

Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, and Google Scholar until December 2023. Publications evaluating pharmaceutical education for students or pharmacists on LGBTQIA+ health topics were included. Two authors independently performed the study selection and data extraction.

Results: A total of 26 studies were included, mostly focusing on transgender individuals (n = 14) and conducted in the United States (n = 19) within the last 7 years (n = 23). The majority were cross-sectional (n = 14) and targeted pharmacy students (n = 14). Educational strategies in LGBTQIA+ health care included primarily lectures (n = 7), clinical case-based learning (n = 6), and panels with LGBTQIA+ individuals (n = 4). Advanced strategies like role-play and objective structured clinical examinations were used exclusively with pharmacy students (n = 4). Identified barriers included a lack of curriculum space (n = 11), minimal exposure to LGBTQIA+ patients (n = 6), limited contact with the subject during formal education and training (n = 6), and a shortage of qualified professionals to teach LGBTQIA+ topics (n = 5).

Conclusion: This review highlights the need to integrate LGBTQIA+ health topics into pharmacy curricula and continuing education through active learning strategies to develop advanced competencies. Addressing curriculum space limitations, increasing exposure to LGBTQIA+ patients, and enhancing the availability of qualified educators are essential to ensure pharmacists are well-prepared to provide inclusive and effective care to LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Keywords: Culturally competent care; Pharmacist; Pharmacy education; Sexual and gender minorities.