Countries of origin and languages of Australian medical students

Monash University medical students were surveyed to determine whether they represented the cultural diversity of their community. A total of 878 students completed self reports which showed they originated from forty countries and spoke forty-one languages. The medical school academic intake procedure had selected students from many ethnic groups reflecting the cultural diversity of the community. All had passed the Higher School Certificate English Examination or equivalent to enter the course. A total of 21% reported fluency in a language other than English, and 62% reported having a usable other language in which they were not fluent. The number of fluent languages spoken was constant over the medical course while the number of languages in which students were not fluent decreased significantly. Findings refuted the stereotype that Australian medical students were all monolingual Anglo-Saxons. Training in use of interpreters, and positive discrimination for medical school entry were considered.