Medical education
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The case for being able to respond effectively to cultural and ethnic diversity in health care is attracting increasing debate in medical education. However research exploring the perspectives of learners is lacking. ⋯ The study points to learners' experience of inadequate training but suggests a willingness to learn more. The possible predominance of a "difference" perspective might drive a narrow focus upon learning cultural knowledge at the expense of promoting a balance with self-reflection upon attitudes and developing generic skills. Educators might heed learners' views about how they should be taught successfully.
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Most research into medical communication has had a western setting. It has been undertaken by western researchers and been influential in shaping communication skills curricula. ⋯ We consider the following key aspects of debate on cross-cultural work. (i) To what extent can our understanding of general principles in other cultures be summarized and presented for teaching in a way which does not descend into caricature? Alternatively, can features of other cultures be presented in ways which do not descend into particularity? (ii) Can such paradigms as "patient-centredness" be transferred from culture to culture? Should they be presented across cultures as features of "good" consultations? (iii) What use can be made of the role of interpreters for teaching purposes? What importance does it have to the educator that a doctor may not be a native speaker of the majority language of the culture in which s/he is operating? (iv) Although the language of illness, and particularly metaphors associated with illness, are studied in other cultures, the way in which illness is metaphorized in British English is seldom discussed. What can educators learn and teach from a study of such matters? (v) What are the implications for communication skills teachers of the need to present materials within a culturally diverse environment?