S Darivemula1, R Bhatia2, S Bhumi3. 1. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Dept of OBGYN, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. Electronic address: shilpa.m.darivemula@hitchcock.org. 2. Johns Hopkins Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, 401 North Broadway Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. Electronic address: Rohini.k.bhatia@gmail.com. 3. University of Connecticut Health, Department of Internal Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1235, USA. Electronic address: bhumi@uchc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: One of the largest barriers towards the utilization and overall success of health interventions for minority communities is the difference between the cultures of healthcare services and service users. Medical students, physicians, and healthcare systems are taught to be culturally competent, yet multiple studies demonstrate the persistence of differences in perception of care and disparities in outcomes for communities of colour. This article aims to offer a patient-centred, culturally nuanced medium for teaching cultural competency. STUDY DESIGN: This is a brief report based on experiential learning, observations, and a short literature review on understanding culture through traditional dances. METHODS: To address cultural disconnect between clinical medicine and diverse patients, we recommend encouraging patients from diverse backgrounds to teach physicians how to perform cultural dances. RESULTS: Traditional dance appears to be a culturally rich source for holistically educating physicians on cultural competency. CONCLUSION: This process of learning a cultural dance can improve cultural humility and cultural competency, and clinical communication between the provider and public.
OBJECTIVE: One of the largest barriers towards the utilization and overall success of health interventions for minority communities is the difference between the cultures of healthcare services and service users. Medical students, physicians, and healthcare systems are taught to be culturally competent, yet multiple studies demonstrate the persistence of differences in perception of care and disparities in outcomes for communities of colour. This article aims to offer a patient-centred, culturally nuanced medium for teaching cultural competency. STUDY DESIGN: This is a brief report based on experiential learning, observations, and a short literature review on understanding culture through traditional dances. METHODS: To address cultural disconnect between clinical medicine and diverse patients, we recommend encouraging patients from diverse backgrounds to teach physicians how to perform cultural dances. RESULTS: Traditional dance appears to be a culturally rich source for holistically educating physicians on cultural competency. CONCLUSION: This process of learning a cultural dance can improve cultural humility and cultural competency, and clinical communication between the provider and public.