User's Guide

THREADS across the Four Components: ACGME Competency Areas and Areas for Greater Emphasis

Where can I Find X, Y or Z?

SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS for use of the FOUR COMPONENTS OTHER Tools and Resource

Cultural Competence

Within the ACGME competency of Professionalism is often included information on cross-cultural issues and cultural competence.   For example within the Collaborative Curriculum Project's preclerkship resource "Competency-based Curriculum Resource for Pre-Clerkship Education (using ACGME Structure)" accessible via http://fammed.musc.edu/fmc/data/Preclerkship/ within the file devoted to the topic of Professionalism can be found:

Sensitivity to contextual issues (culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities) in a diverse patient population

  • Demonstrate ability to investigate impact of patient's culture, age, gender, sexual orientation and any disability on clinical care and medical decisions.
  • Describe the major issues surrounding the interaction of spirituality and medicine.

Cross cultural issues are commonly addressed within the Family Medicine Clerkship topics within the first ACGME competency of Patient Care. For example, within the topic of Asthma/COPD at http://fammed.musc.edu/fmc/data/Asthma_COPD.htm under Patient Care can be found these suggested goal/objectives for student learning:

GOAL: Students will demonstrate sensitivity to individual and cultural differences in the development of treatment plans.

OBJECTIVES: The student will be able to:

•  Discuss with patients and families the importance of lifestyle changes, especially reduction of tobacco exposure, in the management of asthma / COPD.

•  Develop treatment plans in the context of the patient's life and environment.

Cross cultural/cultural competency issues can also be found frequently within the FM Clerkship topics under the ACGME competency of Interpersonal and Communication Skills.   For example, within topic of diabetes at http://fammed.musc.edu/fmc/data/Diabetes.htm   one can find following goal and objectives for family medicine clerkship students :

GOAL: Students will understand the importance of effective, culturally sensitive communication with patients and their families:

OBJECTIVES: The student will be able to:

  • Discuss with patients and their families what the diagnosis of diabetes means, including the necessary lifestyle changes.
  • Collaborate effectively with other members of the health care team, such as a nutritionist, nurse, or health educator.

Lastly, within the Family Medicine Clerkship Resources, there is an entire resource titled "Culturally Responsive Health Care" (also within the 29 core topics) which can be accessed at:

http://fammed.musc.edu/fmc/data/Cultural.htm
 

For questions or comments, please contact Webmaster or Ardis Davis

This page last updated October 22, 2004