Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum

Domestic violence (DV) is a pervasive issue with significant implications for public health, yet it remains under-addressed in healthcare systems. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, are in a unique position to identify and support individuals affected by DV, but training in this area i...

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Main Authors: Harjit K. Khera, Rita Wardan, Hiu Tek Wu, Andy Ling, Suzanne M. Caliph
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Pharmacy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/8
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author Harjit K. Khera
Rita Wardan
Hiu Tek Wu
Andy Ling
Suzanne M. Caliph
author_facet Harjit K. Khera
Rita Wardan
Hiu Tek Wu
Andy Ling
Suzanne M. Caliph
author_sort Harjit K. Khera
collection DOAJ
description Domestic violence (DV) is a pervasive issue with significant implications for public health, yet it remains under-addressed in healthcare systems. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, are in a unique position to identify and support individuals affected by DV, but training in this area is often lacking in pharmacy education. This study explores the challenges of and opportunities for integrating DV education into the pharmacy curriculum by interviewing twelve pharmacy educators from Monash University. Using semi-structured interviews, data were analyzed thematically to identify key barriers and facilitators. The findings highlight several benefits of integrating DV education, including pharmacists’ accessibility to patients and their ability to play a vital role in recognizing and responding to DV. However, challenges such as time constraints, lack of confidence, insufficient training, and perceived limitations on pharmacists’ scope of practice were noted. Ethical and legal concerns regarding pharmacists’ roles in DV cases were also identified. This study concludes that integrating DV education into pharmacy curricula is essential; however, it requires significant barriers to be overcome, including the need for specialised training and collaboration with DV experts. This study recommends interdisciplinary workshops and greater faculty support to equip future pharmacists with the necessary skills to address DV effectively.
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spelling doaj-art-60a4b3d3982b4eaa81d24591b93382d92025-08-20T02:03:32ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872025-01-01131810.3390/pharmacy13010008Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy CurriculumHarjit K. Khera0Rita Wardan1Hiu Tek Wu2Andy Ling3Suzanne M. Caliph4Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaFaculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaFaculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaFaculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaFaculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC 3052, AustraliaDomestic violence (DV) is a pervasive issue with significant implications for public health, yet it remains under-addressed in healthcare systems. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, are in a unique position to identify and support individuals affected by DV, but training in this area is often lacking in pharmacy education. This study explores the challenges of and opportunities for integrating DV education into the pharmacy curriculum by interviewing twelve pharmacy educators from Monash University. Using semi-structured interviews, data were analyzed thematically to identify key barriers and facilitators. The findings highlight several benefits of integrating DV education, including pharmacists’ accessibility to patients and their ability to play a vital role in recognizing and responding to DV. However, challenges such as time constraints, lack of confidence, insufficient training, and perceived limitations on pharmacists’ scope of practice were noted. Ethical and legal concerns regarding pharmacists’ roles in DV cases were also identified. This study concludes that integrating DV education into pharmacy curricula is essential; however, it requires significant barriers to be overcome, including the need for specialised training and collaboration with DV experts. This study recommends interdisciplinary workshops and greater faculty support to equip future pharmacists with the necessary skills to address DV effectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/8domestic violencepharmacy educationhealthcarecurriculum integrationpharmacistspublic health
spellingShingle Harjit K. Khera
Rita Wardan
Hiu Tek Wu
Andy Ling
Suzanne M. Caliph
Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum
Pharmacy
domestic violence
pharmacy education
healthcare
curriculum integration
pharmacists
public health
title Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum
title_full Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum
title_fullStr Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum
title_full_unstemmed Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum
title_short Integrating Domestic Violence Education into the Pharmacy Curriculum
title_sort integrating domestic violence education into the pharmacy curriculum
topic domestic violence
pharmacy education
healthcare
curriculum integration
pharmacists
public health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/13/1/8
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AT andyling integratingdomesticviolenceeducationintothepharmacycurriculum
AT suzannemcaliph integratingdomesticviolenceeducationintothepharmacycurriculum