A qualitative exploration of the interaction between mental illness stigma and preparedness for practice in pharmacy students

The findings offer a novel, qualitative description and explanation of mental illness stigma among pharmacy students from one UK university. Further, the factors identified by pharmacy students as modifiers of preparedness for professional practice provide an evidence base for curriculum development with possible international relevance. This may help pharmacy educators to develop evidence-based strategies aimed at reducing the impact of mental illness stigma in future professional practice.