Understanding the Factors Influencing Black Pharm.D. Student Engagement in Research: A Multi‐Institutional Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Background Research experience in pharmacy school is beneficial to all students seeking post‐graduate training and there is a need to diversify the clinical pharmacy workforce. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to Black Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) student participation in research activities. Methods A qualitative study employing focus groups was conducted at three colleges of pharmacy within large, public, Carnegie R1, predominantly White institutions (PWIs) and two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the southern United States. Students self‐identifying as Black were recruited via email invitation. Student champions were identified at each institution and received training in focus group best practices. One student‐led focus group was conducted at each collaborating institution. Focus group recordings were professionally transcribed and data were analyzed with a phenomenological approach. Results Of the 29 participants, there were 3 fourth‐year (10.3%), 16 third‐year (55.1%), 6 second‐year (20.6%), and 4 first‐year (13.7%) students. The median age of participants was 25 years and 74.1% of participants were female. In addition to concerns for time commitment and limited awareness of opportunities, the students identified misconceptions, intimidation, limited representation of Black faculty in research roles, and lack of established mentoring relationships as barriers to research participation. Facilitators such as racial/cultural concordance with faculty, improved communication regarding available opportunities, and opportunities for research to directly impact minority communities were also described. Conclusions The findings of this study may be used by pharmacy schools to increase Black Pharm.D. student research participation. This study provides insight into and context for experiences that are unique to Black Pharm.D. students at colleges of pharmacy. As this was not designed as a comparator study, further research into differences in barriers and facilitators for Pharm.D. research activities at PWIs and HBCUs is warranted.