Identification of Social Determinants of Education Among Pharmacy Students: Results From a Single-Institution Survey

Objective: To identify social determinants of education (SDOE) among pharmacy students enrolled in the entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Methods: An original 28-item survey was developed and disseminated to first through fourth year students enrolled in the entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences during the spring 2023 semester. The survey evaluated student demographics, educational performance, and SDOE in 6 categories: physical health, psychosocial health, economic stability, self-motivation, social environment/community, and physical environment/community.

Results: A total of 133 students responded to the survey. Over half of the respondents acknowledged difficulties completing errands or self-care tasks owing to their physical, mental, or emotional health. Over half of respondents also reported concerns about covering expenses at the end of the month. Respondents also reported eating less because of financial restraints (20.0%), worrying about housing (22.9%), feeling unsafe in their neighborhood (29.0%), and feeling lonely or isolated (63.4%). In the secondary analysis, the respondents who had concerns with covering expenses, affording food, or losing housing had significantly lower academic performance.

Conclusion: This study identified several SDOE among pharmacy students at our institution, suggesting that students at even the highest levels of education may be subject to disparities. The identification of SDOE provides insight into barriers that are potentially hidden but are highly likely to impact student engagement and success. Efforts toward reducing disparities and promoting equitable opportunities for students are necessary to ensure continued growth and diversification of the pharmacy profession.