Table 5 Total score of pharmacy students’ attitude towards communicating with individuals who have a disability (Sec. 4) classified into specific themes

Social Discomfort

Uncomfortable^a

0.84 ± 1.76

0.86 ± 1.73

0.916

Staring^a

1.44 ± 1.58

1.30 ± 1.58

0.536

Unsure how to behave^a

0.42 ± 1.75

0.66 ± 1.71

0.184

Brief contact^a

1.81 ± 1.38

1.53 ± 1.61

0.043

Overwhelmed^a

1.08 ± 1.69

0.95 ± 1.75

0.834

Fear

Dread of having a disability^a

-0.57 ± 1.82

-0.76 ± 1.81

0.593

Grateful for not having a disability^a

-2.43 ± 1.08

-2.25 ± 1.20

0.307

Afraid to look straight in the face^a

1.75 ± 1.48

1.54 ± 1.61

0.368

Empathy

No pity

-0.66 ± 1.80

-0.32 ± 1.81

0.075

Notice the person and not the disability

1.53 ± 1.51

1.47 ± 1.51

0.964

Act normal and ignore the disability

0.97 ± 1.77

0.93 ± 1.87

0.826

Discuss about the disability

1.05 ± 1.59

1.04 ± 1.64

0.775

Perceived level of information

Ignorant^a

1.04 ± 1.87

0.88 ± 1.88

0.714

Aware of problems

1.15 ± 1.46

1.21 ± 1.52

0.833

Vulnerable

Hurts to see a person with a disability

2.10 ± 1.18

1.89 ± 1.29

0.061

Frustrated when feeling useless

2.03 ± 1.16

1.83 ± 1.33

0.072

Reminder of one’s own vulnerability

0.34 ± 1.94

0.45 ± 1.87

0.671

Wonder what it is like to have a disability

1.32 ± 1.64

1.30 ± 1.64

0.990

Enriched

Rewarding to help

2.43 ± 0.90

2.29 ± 1.67

0.248

Admire ability to cope

2.09 ± 1.12

2.09 ± 1.15

0.942

Total attitude score (score range − 60–60)

19.18 ± 10.19

18.57 ± 11.20

0.578