Evaluating a lecture on cultural competence in the medical school preclinical curriculum

Acad Psychiatry. 2008 Jul-Aug;32(4):327-31. doi: 10.1176/appi.ap.32.4.327.

Abstract

Objective: The authors aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a presentation designed to increase cultural competence.

Methods: A measure was developed to evaluate the attainment of knowledge and attitude objectives by first-year medical students who watched a presentation on the effect of culture on the doctor-patient relationship and effective methods of interpretation for non-English-speaking patients. The test was administered before and after the presentation and data were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects regression model.

Results: Both knowledge and attitudes improved over the course of the lecture.

Conclusions: Those who give individual presentations in multiple instructor medical school courses should supplement their course evaluations with lecture-specific surveys targeted to their specific learning objectives for knowledge and attitudes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Communication Barriers
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison*
  • Cultural Competency / education*
  • Education, Medical, Undergraduate*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Physician-Patient Relations*
  • Program Evaluation
  • United States