Longitudinal integration of cultural components into a physician assistant program's clinical year may improve cultural competency.

Abstract

This study assessed the efficacy of longitudinal integration of cultural components into the clinical year of a 2-year master of science in physician assistant studies (MSPAS) program. Students submitted cultural reflection papers, gave a medical case/cultural presentation, and participated in cultural awareness discussion groups throughout the clinical year. Students completed the same cultural awareness survey at the conclusion of their clinical year that they had completed at benchmarked intervals during their didactic year. Additionally, cultural competency was assessed during the students' summative objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) using a combination of the program's objectives and established professional standards. Qualitative data suggested that students recognized the importance of cultural competency in providing quality patient care and recognized that remaining culturally competent is an ongoing process. Linear trend analyses revealed significant positive relationships between survey response scores and time in the program. The OSCE's cultural assessment scores indicated cultural competency in broad, general categories, but scores declined as cultural categories narrowed and became more detailed. Continued integration of cultural awareness training and assessment throughout the clinical year of a physician assistant (PA) program may have a positive impact on improving cultural competency. PA programs seeking to improve cultural competency in their students should consider continued integration of cultural components throughout the clinical year.