New Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism Continuing Education Requirements

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New Indigenous Cultural Safety, cultural humility and anti-racism Continuing Education Requirements

Starting April 1, 2025, all pharmacy professionals in BC must complete a minimum of 3 hours of learning per year related to Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism (ICSH/AR).

These hours will count toward the existing 15-hour annual continuing education (CE) requirement, and you may choose accredited or non-accredited learning activities.

This annual requirement addresses a critical need identified in the In Plain Sight Report, which found that "requirements for cultural safety and humility and addressing Indigenous-specific racism are not adequately embedded throughout policy and standards." It also fulfills a core concept of the CPBC Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard, which emphasizes building knowledge through education as pharmacy professionals continually seek to provide culturally safe care for Indigenous clients.

When selecting ICSH-related courses and activities, pharmacy professionals should focus on opportunities that help achieve these key learning outcomes:

  1. Develop knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures, histories, worldviews on health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples in BC, and the impacts of colonialism and systemic racism on their health and access to culturally safe care.
  1. Critically examine colonial assumptions, stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory behaviours in pharmacy practice that adversely impact Indigenous health and wellbeing and perpetuate health inequities.
  1. Apply cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-racism and trauma-informed principles to provide and adapt pharmacy services to be more culturally appropriate and responsive to the unique needs of Indigenous clients.
  1. Enhance communication skills, cultural sensitivity and ethical approaches to build trust and respect with Indigenous clients and communities.
  1. Commit to ongoing self-reflection, learning and practice changes to advance cultural safety and humility and dismantle Indigenous-specific racism in pharmacy practice.

To support you, we've compiled a diverse range of learning opportunities, including accredited and non-accredited courses from providers including: the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the First Nations Health Authority, and the Provincial Health Services Authority, as well as a number of self-directed learning materials.

Beyond these courses and materials, you are strongly encouraged to seek out learning opportunities led by Indigenous educators, leaders, organizations, and Knowledge Keepers in your local area. Immersive, community-based learning is a powerful way to gain firsthand perspectives that enhance cultural understanding and competence.

CPBC recognizes that cultural safety education is an ongoing journey that requires continuous growth throughout your career. To support you in meeting this new requirement, we have created a comprehensive Resource Page where you will find:

  • A complete list of recommended learning activities and resources
  • Detailed FAQs addressing common questions about documentation and requirements
  • Guidelines for selecting and documenting learning experiences

We will continue to update these resources to ensure ongoing support for all registrants.

Learn more at:

bcpharmacists.org/IndigenousEducation

 

Mar 13, 2025