Building Empathy in Pharmacy Students through Naoki Higashida’s Documentary

The Together We Heal Club, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences organized a special activity for PharmD students on December 22, 2025 in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. The program took place in the afternoon and featured the screening of the award‑winning documentary The Reason I Jump. The event was aimed at fostering empathy and professional understanding of neurodiversity among future pharmacists. By observing the International Day of Persons with Specially Abled through cinema, the club wanted to highlight the importance of inclusivity in healthcare. The screening was designed to help students appreciate the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals and to encourage them to think about how pharmacists can adapt their counseling techniques to meet diverse patient needs.

The activity was coordinated by Ms. Bandla Aswani, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice. A total of 30 PharmD students participated in the program. The students showed great interest and involvement throughout the session. They watched the documentary attentively, responded positively during the reflective discussion, and shared their thoughts with clarity and compassion. Their active participation reflected their eagerness to learn and their sensitivity toward the subject.

The documentary provided a sensory‑rich experience based on Naoki Higashida’s memoir. Its immersive sound design and cinematography allowed students to feel the sensory overload often experienced by neurodivergent patients. After the screening, a reflective discussion was conducted where students explored practical ways pharmacists can support non‑verbal patients. Suggestions included using visual aids, reducing sensory triggers in pharmacies, and creating a more inclusive environment. The session concluded with a pledge by the students to advocate for neuro‑inclusive healthcare, making the activity both meaningful and action‑oriented.

The key takeaways for the participants were profound. They realized that understanding the reasons behind behaviors such as jumping or repetitive motions helps in offering better pharmaceutical care without judgment. They also learned that healing begins with awareness and empathy. The event emphasized that patients are not just case studies but individuals with unique needs, and pharmacists must develop clinical empathy alongside technical skills.

The organizers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all the students for their enthusiastic participation. Their openness and thoughtful reflections made the event a success. The Together We Heal Club reaffirmed its mission of promoting holistic wellness and inclusivity, and looks forward to organizing more such activities that humanize clinical education and prepare students to serve society with compassion.