Health advocacy for refugees: Medical student primer for competence in cultural matters and global health.

PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED: Canadian family physicians serve a patient population that is increasingly diverse, both culturally and linguistically. Family medicine needs to take a leadership role in developing social accountability and cultural sensitivity among physicians. OBJECTIVE OF PROGRAM: To train medical students to work with newly arriving refugees, to foster competence in handling cultural issues, to raise awareness of global health, and to engage medical students in work with underserviced populations in primary care. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The program is composed of an Internet-based training module and a self-assessment quiz focused on global and refugee health, a workshop to increase competence in cultural matters, an experience working with at least 1 refugee family at a shelter for newly arriving refugees, family physician mentorship, and a debriefing workshop at the end of the experience. Students who complete this program are eligible for further electives at a refugee health clinic.
CONCLUSION: The program has been received enthusiastically by students, refugees, and family physicians. Working with refugees provides a powerful introduction to issues related to global health and competence in cultural matters. The program also provides an opportunity for medical students to work alongside family physicians and nurtures their interest in working with disadvantaged populations.