Principles of intercultural medicine in an internal medicine program

Internal medicine and medicine-pediatric residents (n = 76) completed a questionnaire that measured variables including sociodemographics, family dynamics, cross-cultural exposure, and exposure to intercultural medicine principles. Questions were answered regarding perceptions of their patients and level of comfort discussing specific cultural variables. Gender, training status, and geographic background did not influence responses, but the responses of European-Americans (71%) vs. ethnic minorities and foreign medical graduates (29%) were significantly different. European-Americans were more likely to be men, less likely to have an urban background (p = .02), and their self-described socioeconomic status was uppermiddle to upper class (p = .02). European-Americans vs. all others differed in their perceptions of patients' financial support (p = .001), and reasons for doctor-patient miscommunications (p = .05). The European-Americans had significantly less exposure to friends and classmates (p = .002), and instructors (p = .0001) of ethnic origins different than their own prior to residency training. Our data support the inclusion of intercultural medicine principles in the general internal medicine curriculum.