Effects of Racial Trauma on Black Doctor of Pharmacy Students.

Objective. In the wake of several high-profile police killings, the United States has begun another reckoning with structural racism, injustice, and violence against Black Americans. The objectives of this project were to explore the impact of racialized sociopolitical events on Black Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students. Methods. Focus groups were conducted with second to fourth-year Black PharmD students enrolled at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy. The focus groups were conducted in summer 2020, beginning two months after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police officers and concluding before the start of the fall semester. Data analysis was conducted using a phenomenological approach, and themes were identified using inductive coding. Results. Twenty-four participants were recruited into five focus group sessions. Thematic Analysis of the transcripts resulted in three distinct themes related to the study objectives: Vicarious Trauma, Hypervigilance, and Fight or Flight Responses. The study results show that Black students experience significant psychological distress due to prominent racially traumatic events. Black students may withdraw from non-Black persons due to hypersensitivity and anxiety or they may be willing to engage in candid conversations. Conclusion. This racial trauma has implications for student wellness and academic success. As racism and police brutality have proven to be an ever-present problem, this study offers key information for consideration for institutions to recruit, support, and retain diverse learners. The data may also inform interactions with Black patients, coworkers, and health professionals during times of sociopolitical unrest.