Pharmacy students' reflections on a TED talk about difficult conversations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2026.261.383390Keywords:
Communication, Difficult healthcare conversation, Pharmacy student, TED talkAbstract
Background: Educating health professions students in difficult conversations is necessary, and the expanding role of pharmacists necessitates this instruction for pharmacy students.
Methods: This exploratory qualitative study was modelled after a similar project with undergraduate nursing students. Second- (P2) and third year (P3) pharmacy students were invited to participate. Students watched the TED talk “On Being Present, Not Perfect” about difficult conversations and answered two reflection questions prior to a required lab course session. Student comments were categorised by a priori themes.
Results: Fifty-two of 236 total students (23%) agreed to participate in the study; 36 were P2s and 16 were P3s. The themes of Communication, Empathy, and Role Development were consistent across the two reflection questions. No additional themes were identified. Treating the patient as a person was noted across each of the themes. Limitations: This study was conducted at a single, private, faith-based institution; participation was voluntary; data were self-reported; and no objective measures of communication skills were used.
Conclusion: The students reflected on TED Talk about difficult conversations and the importance of treating patients with respect as a person. The reflective component encouraged students to assimilate the content along with experiences from their professional work or personal life.
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