At Samford University, pharmacy students learn that caring for patients goes far beyond medications and dosages. They are trained to embrace whole-person care, addressing cultural, social, and environmental factors that influence health—skills now required by accreditation standards and vital for effective healthcare.
- Pharmacy programs now require training in cultural humility and health advocacy.
- Whole-person care addresses biomedical, psychosocial, and environmental factors.
- Creative assignments immerse students in unfamiliar cultures to build empathy.
What happened
The McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University implemented a curriculum focused on whole-person care to meet accreditation demands and modern healthcare needs. This approach integrates scientific education with training in cultural and structural humility, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration. The goal is to prepare students to recognize and address diverse factors influencing patient health, including psychosocial and environmental forces.
A key element of their teaching strategy is the 'other culture' assignment, designed to encourage students to engage with cultures or communities unfamiliar to them. Faculty observed students becoming more reluctant over time to step outside their comfort zones, so this assignment challenges them to break barriers, learn through experience, and ultimately develop essential interpersonal skills for effective caregiving.
Why it feels good
Students overwhelmingly report that participating in immersive cultural experiences enriches their understanding and empathy toward patients from different backgrounds. For example, visiting a Black church or a Texas cattle stockyard gave students firsthand insight that transcended media portrayals, deepening their connection to the people and environments that shape health outcomes.
This kind of growth fosters a greater sense of compassion and perspective. Pharmacy students come to see patients as whole individuals with unique beliefs, challenges, and structural barriers impacting their health—an awareness that is empowering and rewarding as they prepare for real-world healthcare roles.
What to enjoy or watch next
For those interested in healthcare or education, following how pharmacy programs nationwide adopt similar whole-person care approaches will be inspiring. Innovations in training culturally humble and collaborative providers are evolving rapidly, promising more compassionate and effective patient care in the future.
Additionally, keep an eye on interdisciplinary initiatives that combine pharmacy education with social sciences and community engagement. These efforts continue to enrich healthcare training by addressing disparities and equipping professionals to meet patients’ complex needs holistically.