Cultural Competency in Medicine

Abstract

Each year, dozens of students from the UBC Faculty of Medicine embark on travel abroad with the goal of improving health, and education to people in developing countries. Students, armed with their newly acquired clinical skills and medical comprehension, leave the country excited to bring their knowledge to a remote part of the globe to help patients, families and communities. This article explores how medicine in a global setting challenges our ability to adapt to unique situations and why it is important to utilize our medical education in a contextually and culturally appropriate manner.