Needs Assessment of Residents Regarding Cultural Competency Elisabeth L. Righter, MD, FAAFP

Introduction: One way to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care is to emphasize cultural proficiency training of physicians. (Smedley) One way to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health care is to emphasize cultural proficiency training of physicians. (Smedley) Much room for expansion and improvement in graduate medical education training (Weissman) Much room for expansion and improvement in graduate medical education training (Weissman)

Introduction: Qualitative research described barriers to achieving cultural competence and skills needed to overcome them. (Shapiro) Qualitative research described barriers to achieving cultural competence and skills needed to overcome them. (Shapiro) Common barriers for residents included time constraints, language/interpreter limitations and patient shortcomings. Common barriers for residents included time constraints, language/interpreter limitations and patient shortcomings.

Introduction: Patient’s suggestions for improving doctor-patient cross-cultural communication included not to make assumptions about patients based on skin color or name. Patient’s suggestions for improving doctor-patient cross-cultural communication included not to make assumptions about patients based on skin color or name. Patients wanted residents to incorporate their folk/homeopathic remedies. Patients wanted residents to incorporate their folk/homeopathic remedies.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the educational needs of Family Medicine residents in our residency regarding cultural competency. The purpose of this study was to assess the educational needs of Family Medicine residents in our residency regarding cultural competency.

Methods: A 21-item anonymous questionnaire was developed and distributed to our Family Medicine residents. A 21-item anonymous questionnaire was developed and distributed to our Family Medicine residents.

Methods: One item focused on usefulness of making assumptions about patients based on information about skin color. One item focused on usefulness of making assumptions about patients based on information about skin color. One item focused on usefulness of making assumptions about patients based on information about patient name. One item focused on usefulness of making assumptions about patients based on information about patient name.

Methods: One item asked about incorporation of folk/homeopathic remedies into patient care. One item asked about incorporation of folk/homeopathic remedies into patient care. Another item assessed the level of interest in learning how to incorporate folk/homeopathic remedies. Another item assessed the level of interest in learning how to incorporate folk/homeopathic remedies.

Methods: Residents responded to statements about their opinions/needs using a 6 point agreement scale [VSA (1)-VSD (6)] and to statements of their levels of interest in learning using a 5 point interest scale [VHI (1)-VLI (5)]. Residents responded to statements about their opinions/needs using a 6 point agreement scale [VSA (1)-VSD (6)] and to statements of their levels of interest in learning using a 5 point interest scale [VHI (1)-VLI (5)].

Results: There was an 82% (14/17) response rate. There was an 82% (14/17) response rate. Population demographics included: Population demographics included: 11 females and 6 males11 females and 6 males 13 Caucasian, 1 African-American and 3 other13 Caucasian, 1 African-American and 3 other 13 American medical school graduates and 4 International medical school graduates13 American medical school graduates and 4 International medical school graduates

Results: Residents disagreed that it is useful to make assumptions about patients based on skin color (X=4.50) or based on name (X=4.07). Residents disagreed that it is useful to make assumptions about patients based on skin color (X=4.50) or based on name (X=4.07). VSA (1)-VSD (6) scale

Results: Residents disagreed that they incorporate folk/homeopathic remedies of patients into the care of their patients (X=4.07). Residents disagreed that they incorporate folk/homeopathic remedies of patients into the care of their patients (X=4.07). VSA (1)-VSD (6) scale Residents had moderate to high interest in learning how to incorporate folk/homeopathic remedies into the care of their patients (X=2.50). Residents had moderate to high interest in learning how to incorporate folk/homeopathic remedies into the care of their patients (X=2.50). VHI (1)-VLI (5) scale

Discussion: Based on the results of this study, it will be a lower priority to teach residents not to make assumptions about patients based upon skin color or name. Based on the results of this study, it will be a lower priority to teach residents not to make assumptions about patients based upon skin color or name. The curriculum should be revised to include teaching residents how to incorporate folk and homeopathic remedies into the care of their patients. The curriculum should be revised to include teaching residents how to incorporate folk and homeopathic remedies into the care of their patients.

Discussion: The study has limited generalizability since it was performed on a small group of residents in one program. The study has limited generalizability since it was performed on a small group of residents in one program. Using the information from this needs assessment to guide our curricular revision should result in a more effective educational intervention. Using the information from this needs assessment to guide our curricular revision should result in a more effective educational intervention.