LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
AM 2024 DESTIN
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
RESOLUTION 403
Enhancing Cultural Competency in Medical Education
SUBJECT:
Medical Student Section
INTRODUCED BY:
WHEREAS, attention to linguistic and cultural barriers is increasingly needed as the population becomes more diverse, with projections indicating that by 2050, racial and ethnic minorities will comprise 35% of the population, necessitating healthcare services tailored to culturally diverse populations 1 ; and WHEREAS, despite being aware of the existence and definition of implicit bias in healthcare, first-year medical students have demonstrated skin tone bias when administered the Harvard Implicit Association Test for Skin Tone 2 ; and WHEREAS, published research suggests physician-patient relations, patient satisfaction, and treatment plan adherence may improve due to cultural competence, which could improve clinical outcomes and reduce health disparities 3,4 ; and WHEREAS, cultural competence among health professionals is one strategy to ensure equitable patient care for diverse population groups who differ in age, gender, socio-economic status, migrant status, and ethnicity 5 ; and WHEREAS, cultural competency training enhances providers’ empathy for systemically vulnerable patients by encouraging collective action against structural health disparities and rediscovering purpose in one’s work, which alleviates physician burnout 6 ; and WHEREAS, most cultural competency training is found to occur in a didactic or case-based format during the first or second years of medical school, with only a small portion of the curricular time dedicated to discussing cultural competence in relation to patient care 3 ; and
WHEREAS, cultural competency training was found to be minimal or absent during students’ clinical rotations when it might be applicable and relevant 3 ; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of a generalized approach to cultural competency training are outweighed by those of a focused, area-based approach 7 ; now, therefore, be it and
RESOLVED, that the Louisiana State Medical Society agrees cultural competence education should include fostering skill development through immersive activities with ongoing evaluation and feedback mechanisms continued into third and fourth year to assess the effectiveness of training initiatives, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation to the evolving healthcare dynamics.
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