Part II. Educating for diversity: a decade of experience (1989-1999)

In response to tensions created by a racial misunderstanding, the authors developed a course for first year medical students entitled Race and Gender in Medicine. The course, presented in a seminar format, enables the participants to discuss openly their concerns about diversity and its impact on their institution and the medical enterprise. Physician speakers describe their experiences with gender bias, racism, and other discriminatory practices and then present strategies they used to overcome these obstacles in their career path. Given the increasing heterogeneity of the population, the authors advocate integrating a course such as this one into the curriculum that will help prepare students to practice humane medicine in the multiracial, multiethnic, and multicultural society of the 21st century.