Title
The effect of a global multiculturalism track on cultural competence of preclinical medical students
PubMed ID
11302510
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Office of Medical Education
Date
4-17-2001
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Attitude of Health Personnel; Cohort Studies; *Cultural Diversity; Curriculum; Education, Medical; Health Policy; Humans; Organizational Objectives; *Physician-Patient Relations; *Professional Competence; Program Evaluation; Students, Medical; United States
Disciplines
Community Health | Other Medical Specialties | Preventative Medicine
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effect of an elective (the Global Multiculturalism Track), including international and domestic immersion experiences, on the cultural competence of preclinical medical students.
METHODS: A self-assessment instrument was used to measure cultural competence, and it was administered to Track participants and nonparticipating class cohorts at the beginning and the end of the preclinical years.
RESULTS: Track participants (n=26) had a higher level of cultural competence both at the beginning and at the end of the program. At the end of their second year, students participating in the Track had, for the first time, greater knowledge of certain aspects of local cultures, more tolerance of people of other cultures not speaking English, and more comfort with patients of these cultures, compared with non-Track participants.
CONCLUSIONS: The results are based on a small sample size, but the suggestion that a multiculturalism track could provide a model for development of cultural competence warrants further research.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Fam Med. 2001 Mar;33(3):178-86.
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Community Health Commons, Other Medical Specialties Commons, Preventative Medicine Commons