Medical students' perspectives on a multicultural curriculum.
OBJECTIVE
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education requires medical schools to deliver curriculum that prepares graduates to care for a culturally diverse patient population. This study explores student perceptions of 1 multicultural curriculum and their preparedness for dealing with: racism, stereotypes, community partnership and disparities.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with 22 preclinical and clinical students. Participants were asked semistructured and open-ended questions. Using a conceptual approach to thematic content analysis of transcripts, the data were reviewed by the study's authors for common themes.


RESULTS
The authors identified the following: 1) Students asserted that topics of multiculturalism, disparities and racism should be incorporated both throughout the curriculum and in discrete packages; these topics would be most effective if highlighted during their clinical training. 2) Students preferred learning about topics such as racism and bias from "real" patients. 3) At times, written cases may be counterproductive by reinforcing stereotypes. 4) Finally, students note that without recurrent assessment, many students do not perceive topics on multicultural issues as vital to their education.


CONCLUSIONS
Given these recurring themes, we have reviewed our assessment strategies for the multicultural curriculum and are implementing a longitudinal assessment of our multicultural curriculum. Our findings should inform our school and others as to the need for further faculty development and clerkship materials in the area of cultural competency.
Lypson
Monica L
ML
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Graduate Medical Education, 2500 Green Road, Suite 700, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. mlypson@umich.edu
Ross
Paula T
PT
Kumagai
Arno K
AK
D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States