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Medical Spanish

Faculty Development

by Tara Peris

In medical institutions, the issue of faculty development remains a perennially hot topic. Although the need for diversity often is emphasized at a student level, it is just as important at the instructor level. A multi-cultural faculty body will not only provide valuable professional role models to young students, but it will enhance their ability to provide culturally sensitive health care as well.

Developing Cultural Competence in Medical Faculty

Most people are familiar with the political and educational issues that swirl around creating a diverse student body. What few people realize, however is that these issues intensify at the faculty level. A diverse faculty is necessary not only for promoting equal opportunity in the work force, but for quality instruction as well. This is especially true in the field of medicine, where students need specific training in culturally competent health care practices.

With this in mind, faculty development has proceeded with a goal of attracting as diverse and representative an instructor population as possible. Certainly, with each passing year, this task becomes a bit easier. As a new generation of health care practitioners rises through the ranks, faculty job applicants are becoming increasingly diverse.

However, rather than waiting for an influx of minority applicants to strengthen and enrich the faculty body, many medical institutions are taking more immediate action. In particular, they are encouraging their faculty to pursue enrichment courses that facilitate professional growth. These development courses focus on cultural competence and on the ability to administer effective health care to an increasingly heterogeneous patient population.

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