Black History Month Essay Competition
Black History Month Essay Competition Brief:
Inequalities in Healthcare and their Impact on Black Patients
This competition is linked to the following BPSA policy as shown below:
3.3 This association believes that more proactive measures need to be taken to tackle health inequalities within the NHS [2022].
The first of October marked the start of Black History Month 2024, and as part of the Black History Month campaign, we aim to celebrate the contributions of black individuals while raising awareness of the ongoing challenges and inequalities faced by black communities in various sectors, including healthcare.
Disparities and inequalities in healthcare continue to disproportionately impact marginalised groups, especially Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. As future pharmacists, it is crucial to understand these disparities and how they impact patient care and outcomes.
This competition invites members to explore the different healthcare disparities specifically affecting black communities and encourages reflection on how we, as future healthcare professionals, can help address these issues. Through this competition, participants will have the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills, deepen their understanding of the issue, and raise awareness on healthcare inequalities affecting black patients.
Please note that the excessive use of AI to complete the following competition will be flagged by the Competitions Coordinator and other members of the judging panel, resulting in potential disqualification or a reduction in marks for the entry.
So, how do I enter?
Entrants should be a member of the BPSA - studying for a Pharmacy degree or undertaking their Foundation Training Year.
Please email completed essays to competitions@bpsa.co.uk with your full name, university and year of study (e.g. Becky Smith, ex Cardiff University, Foundation Trainee Pharmacist) and include ‘Black History Month Essay Competition’ in the subject line.
Assessment Criteria:
Explore the current healthcare inequalities impacting black patients and the broader effects these disparities have on black communities.
Investigate the underlying causes of these healthcare inequalities.
Propose various ways in which pharmacists can contribute to addressing these healthcare inequalities.
Essays that contain ideas that can lead to harm, if implemented, or contain offensive language will be disqualified from the competition.
Individual entries only: This competition does not accept group submissions.
Essays should be no more than 1600 words (excluding titles, references and captions).
Essays should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Images and tables may be included and references should use the Harvard referencing system.
All essays must have accurate punctuation and grammar.
Adjudication Process:
All entries will be assessed by the BPSA Competitions Coordinator, the BPSA Policy Officer and the BPSA Publications Officer on the following criteria:
Relevance to the theme: Does the essay effectively address disparities in healthcare and their impact on black patients?
Depth of analysis: Does the essay provide thorough insight into the causes and effects of these disparities?
Clarity and organisation: Is the essay well-written, clearly structured, and logically developed?
Research quality: Is the essay well-supported by data and are the sources of data of good quality?
The judging panel will select two winners based on these criteria. The winners will be notified after the competition deadline.
The Prize:
First Place: The winner will receive a £25 'Tihara Smith' voucher, an opportunity to collaborate with the BPSA Publications Officer to have their work featured in a BPSA publication, and will receive a certificate of achievement.
Runner-Up: The runner-up will also have the opportunity to work with the BPSA Publications Officer to have their work published in a BPSA publication and will receive a certificate of achievement.
Deadline:
Friday 8th November 2024 at 23:59 GMT
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions!
Erica Agyei-Bekoe
Competitions Coordinator 2024/25