title: Medical students' self-reported preparedness and attitudes in providing care to ethnic minorities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess medical students' self-reported preparedness to provide care to ethnic minorities, factors that influence preparedness, and attitudes toward cultural competency training.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study, which invited University of British Columbia medical students to participate in a survey on student demographics, knowledge and awareness, preparedness and willingness, and personal attitudes. Of 1024, eligible, 301 students consented to study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students across all year levels felt significantly less ready to provide care for non-English speaking Chinese patients compared to "any" patients. Proficiency in working with interpreters was correlated with readiness, OR 4.447 (1.606-12.315) along with 3rd and 4th year level in medical school, OR 3.550 (1.378-9.141) and 4.424 (1.577-12.415), respectively. Over 80% of respondents reported interest in learning more about the barriers and possible ways of overcoming them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More opportunities for cultural competency training in the medical curriculum are warranted and would be welcomed by the students.
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jackson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCartney
authors.forename: Kendall
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001955:British Columbia; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054521:Cultural Competency; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D054525:Minority Health; D057566:Self Report; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*