Educating Medical Students on Cultural and Societal Issues in the Health Care of Diverse Population Groups

Abstract

Rapidly changing demographics in the USA and within its health care system are forcing societal and cultural issues to the forefront of medical education. The purpose of this paper is to describe a Culture and Society Seminar for second year medical students which educates them about cultural and environmental factors affecting the health status of different population groups. The course is designed as a year-long seminar consisting of monthly sessions. At each session, students are given a didactic lecture to initially introduce them to the health care needs of a specific population group. A problem-based learning (PBL) case correlated to the lecture is then used to facilitate discussion as to how one might approach the most culturally-sensitive and appropriate health care management of the individual described in the PBL case. The eight PBL cases address health care issues of underserved and poorly-understood population groups. Students keep a developmental journal of their reactions to the lectures, readings, cases and demonstrations. Students also conduct a health beliefs interview with an individual from any of the population groups discussed in the course and write an essay report about the health care issues of concern to this individual.