Using Medical Simulations to Teach Multi-Cultural Diversity

Abstract

Medical students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine receive training m multicultural diversity through simulated medical encounters with Standardized Patients. The goal is clinical and multi-cultural competence, i.e. the ability to examine, treat and relate to a culturally diverse patient population. The students participate in a series of simulated medical encounters with SPs who are actual medical patients hired from the community and trained to evaluate clinical and inter-personal skills with the students following the encounters. The result is a meaningful encounter between student and patient in which both learn to appreciate the value systems of the other.