Facilitating Intimate Partner Violence Education among Pharmacy Students: What Do Future Pharmacists Want to Know?

This paper describes the first step toward creating training tools to improve pharmacy students' and pharmacists' ability to identify intimate partner violence (IPV) among patients and facilitate referrals. The paper's objectives are to evaluate an IPV didactic session adapted for pharmacy students and describe student quantitative and qualitative feedback on the session. Almost 90% of students believed IPV was relevant to their pharmacy careers and that the session improved their ability to recognize IPV. Twenty one percent believed they had encountered a patient they suspected was a victim of IPV. Legal and liability issues, course logistics, skill development, greater specificity and student engagement were themes that emerged. Greater specificity toward pharmacy was recommended to understand the intricacies of legal and professional responsibilities, patient and personal safety risks, and maintaining strong provider/patient relationships. To overcome barriers to screening, assessment and referral, students need opportunities to engage in role-playing and practical application of the knowledge gained.