Access to inclusive and culturally sensitive mental healthcare in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color pharmacy students and residents.

Purpose: Disparities in accessing culturally sensitive mental healthcare exist and may be exacerbated in pharmacy trainees. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to culturally sensitive mental healthcare and how to improve access for racially and ethnically minoritized pharmacy students and residents.

Methods: This institutional review board-exempt study included in-person and virtual focus groups. Eligible participants were first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students and pharmacy residents completing a postgraduate year 1 or 2 program who identified as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Barriers to care, identity's influence on seeking care, and areas in which the training programs are doing well or areas for improvement were assessed. Responses were transcribed and analyzed using an open coding system by 2 reviewers, followed by discussion as a team to reach consensus.

Results: This study enrolled 8 first-year, 5 second-year, 7 third-year, and 2 fourth-year PharmD students and 4 residents (N = 26). Barriers to care included time, access to resources, and internal and external stigma. Identity barriers included cultural and family stigma and lack of representation in therapists with regard to race, ethnicity, and gender. Areas going well included supportive faculty and paid time off, while areas for improvement included wellness days, reduced workload, and increased diversity within the workforce.

Conclusion: This study is the first to identify barriers to culturally sensitive mental healthcare in pharmacy trainees who identify as BIPOC while providing insight on how to increase culturally sensitive mental healthcare resources.