ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine pharmacy student perceptions regarding need for cultural sensitivity in pharmacy practice in New York City. The study also examined the effect of demographic factors on cultural sensitivity perceptions of students. A survey instrument was developed consisting of 21 attitude questions on a Likert scale. Factor analysis revealed six dimensions underlying cultural sensitivity in pharmacy practice. A total of 257 fifth-year pharmacy students answered the survey instrument. The data was analyzed using SPSS 7.5 for Windows. In general, the students appear to recognize the importance for practicing pharmacists to be sensitive to the needs of ethnic populations. The students felt that medication compliance, pharmacist-patient relationship, patient satisfaction, patient trust, and ability to understand over-the-counter and prescription product directions would be greater if the pharmacist could speak the language and understand the culture of the customer population. Gender, ethnicity, and language skills were found to affect student perceptions of need for cultural sensitivity. The results can be useful to educators in preparing future pharmacists for such challenges within the profession.