Evaluating men’s health education in US pharmacy practice curriculum

The objective of this study was to evaluate men’s health education in the pharmacy practice curriculum of colleges/schools of pharmacy in the United States. The pharmacy practice department heads from colleges/schools of pharmacy in the United States received an online survey. The survey included demographic questions about the college/school of pharmacy, the men’s health topics covered, and viewpoints about incorporating men’s health in their curriculum. A total of 143 initial emails were sent, with 19 completed surveys received. Nine of 11 specific men’s health topics evaluated in the survey were taught by at least 50% of respondents within a required didactic course for at least one hour. There was no significant difference between the colleges’ demographics and total hours of men’s health topics taught. More than 50% of respondents indicated that eight of the 11 specific men’s health survey topics should be included in the required curriculum only. Overall, 89% of schools/colleges identified the main barrier to incorporating men’s health topics in the curriculum as lack of time. As schools/colleges of pharmacy undergo curricular change, the results of this survey may be used to evaluate the men’s health content in their curriculum and to make adjustments, as necessary, to help better prepare pharmacists for increasing roles in men’s health.