Apha Publishes Pharmacy Field's First Book On Cultural Competence

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 24 Apr 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) published the profession's first textbook on cultural competence this month. Essentials of Cultural Competence in Pharmacy Practice is designed to help pharmacists and student pharmacists improve their cultural competence and excel in today's multicultural world.

The book lays the foundation for cultural competence by illuminating the communication styles, familial structures, spiritual beliefs, and genetic, biochemical, and physiological traits of particular ethnic or sociological groups. Equipped with knowledge about a patient's cultural background, pharmacists can deliver pharmaceutical care that accommodates the patient's needs, beliefs, and health practices.

Chapters focus on:

- Legal, ethical, and professional reasons for becoming culturally competent
- Tools to assess one's level of cultural competence
- Cultural practices of many ethnic groups in the United States
- Family dynamics of biracial/multiracial patients
- Potential effects of religion and spirituality on health
- Health risks and family issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons

The book is co-edited by Kimberly Vess Halbur, EdD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo; and Duane A. Halbur, PhD, Director of Counseling and Student Affairs at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Essentials of Cultural Competence in Pharmacy Practice (ISBN 978-1-58212-113-0; softbound; 341 pages; $35.95 [$32 for APhA member]) may be ordered online at http://www.pharmacist.com and click on Shop APhA) or by phone (800-878-0729). Sample pages from the book may be found online.

About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 63,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States.

American Pharmacists Association