ArticleInternational journal of clinical pharmacy2026
Integrating sports pharmacy into pharmacy education: a qualitative study of pharmacy students' perceptions, barriers, and educational priorities.
Article in International journal of clinical pharmacy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionSports pharmacy is a developing field in which pharmacists support athlete health, promote safe medication use, and contribute to anti-doping efforts. Despite international recognition of pharmacists' potential roles, limited evidence exists on pharmacy students' knowledge and perceptions of this area, particularly in Northern Ireland.
aimTo explore pharmacy students' perceptions and experiences of sports pharmacy, with a particular focus on its relevance to pharmacy education, professional roles, and career aspirations.
methodAn exploratory qualitative design was employed, using Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis. Sixteen MPharm students (Years 1-4) from a university in Northern Ireland participated in semi-structured interviews conducted online between January and May 2025. Data were coded independently by two researchers, with themes developed through consensus.
resultsA total of sixteen students were interviewed. Data saturation was reached at the fourteenth interview, when no new codes or themes were identified, and this was confirmed through researcher consensus following review of coded transcripts. Six key themes were developed from analysis of the full dataset. Interviews lasted between 30 and 45 min (mean length = 37 ± 5 min): (1) Lack of curricular embedding, (2) Latent recognition of professional relevance, (3) Constraints in curriculum integration, (4) Feasible ways for embedding sports pharmacy, (5) Envisioned professional evolution, and (6) Motivation shaped by exposure and identity. Awareness was consistently low across all years. Students recognised sports pharmacy's value for athlete safety and career development, but expressed concerns about curriculum overload, limited expertise, and variable relevance. Practical solutions included guest lectures, interdisciplinary workshops, and optional or elective modules to provide exposure without adding to the curriculum burden. Sports pharmacy was perceived as an expanding niche with potential to shape future roles for pharmacists.
conclusionPharmacy students valued the potential of sports pharmacy but highlighted challenges in embedding it within an already overloaded curriculum. Flexible and targeted approaches, such as electives and guest lectures, may enhance awareness while accommodating diverse student interests. Future research should evaluate such strategies and their impact on preparing pharmacists for roles in sports pharmacy and anti-doping.
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