Evaluation of residency training in the delivery of culturally effective care

To augment resident training in the delivery of culturally effective care in order to improve clinician capacity to effectively care for patients from diverse backgrounds.

Residents from the Naval Medical Center San Diego and the University of California San Diego participated in experiential learning and service activities. Programme evaluation assessed aspects of the delivery of culturally effective care in community settings. A community-based participatory approach to engaging residents in the delivery of culturally effective care and evaluation of the effectiveness of this approach are described.

A significant pre-post rotation increase was noted in residents' self-perceived ability to identify culture-related issues that may impact on the patient's view of illness (P<0.001) and ability to address a culture-related issue (P<0.001). Community evaluations rated residents positively on behaviours that reflected communication skills and professionalism, but less positively on knowledge about communities.

The authors conclude that resident exposure to the block rotation curriculum contributes to improved knowledge of the skills necessary to provide culturally effective care in diverse community settings.