Notes on the article by by Patricia J. Kelly, PhD et al. “Exploring the Theoretical Framework of Cultural Competency Training”

The article explores the theoretical frameworks of cultural competency training for Physician Assistants. It discusses the importance of such training, the main theories of health care cultural competency, and a brief history of its implementation. They propose shifting the view of cultural competency training from being one of the additional topics in the curriculum of medical students to being one of the foundation courses. 

The authors explain that teaching cultural norms and exposing the students to cultural diversity will not train the students how to appropriately elicit cultural information from patients. They point out that such authors as Shapiro, Lie, Gutierrez, and Zhung have discovered that medical students “tend to downplay the importance of determining self-awareness and recognizing self-bias in regards to culture.” (p. 40) The most important point made in this article is that it is only through self-inquiry and self-awareness that students can encounter their own limitations by biases and cultural attitudes, and thus become more open to cultural competence in general. This is the necessary foundation for growing culturally sensitive professionals.  

“Effective implementation of cultural competency training, however, should involve facilitating student discussions and activities to foster improved cultural awareness and motivate critical thinking and reflection regarding student attitudes and bias about culture.” (p. 41)