ABSTRACT
The continued presence of the family physician within hospital systems is key to family medicine remaining an attractive, viable specialty in the ever-evolving world of medicine. One physician muses about her place in this complex ecosystem and believes that family physicians lose their voice and thus risk their own extinction when they opt out of hospital practice.
Subject(s)
Family Practice/trends , Hospitalists , Physicians, Family/trends , Anecdotes as Topic , Hospital Administration/trends , Humans , Physicians, Family/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Family physicians are expected to provide culturally sensitive care. However, teaching about cultural diversity and measuring educational outcomes can be challenging. We describe a diversity curriculum based on the concept of cultural humility, which includes participatory didactic and structured learning activities. METHODS: Two classes of second-year family medicine residents participated in a yearlong diversity curriculum. Self-assessment and observational data were collected before and after the curriculum. RESULTS: Observational data showed that residents increased patient involvement during office visits. Ratings by announced and unannounced simulated patients indicated that residents were attentive to the patient's perspective and social context. Resident ratings indicated high satisfaction with the learning activities. Self-assessment data did not show significant changes in residents' perception of their ability to work with particular patients. CONCLUSIONS: Participatory learning activities that focus on cultural humility are a promising approach for diversity education.
