Pharmacy Students’ Lived Experiences With Atopic Dermatitis Inform Perceptions of Learning in the Curriculum

Abstract

Objective: To explore the impact of lived experiences of pharmacy students with atopic dermatitis (AD) on perceptions of learning in pharmacy curriculum. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted with pharmacy students in the United Kingdom to understand how their lived experiences affect their perception of AD in pharmacy curriculum. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and a thematic analysis method was followed. Firstly, codes were created, and then relevant codes were combined to identify themes. Results: Thirteen pharmacy students were interviewed. Study findings showed pharmacy students support teaching with a holistic approach to management and patient-centered care in AD in pharmacy curriculum. Although students had empathy and moral support for patients, they also described a need for teaching on the mental health effects of AD in pharmacy education. Conclusion: This brief report explores the role of lived experience of pharmacy students in considering the provision of holistic, patient-centered care in AD teaching in pharmacy education. Participants also suggest the need within the pharmacy curriculum for training to provide mental health advice to patients with AD.