Culture and Health: Lessons from Abroad

A one-day workshop focusing on cultural issues in health care was provided to undergraduate and graduate students as well as currently practicing health care professionals.

The goals of the workshop were to familiarize students with alternative beliefs that may affect their health care practice, facilitate effective interaction with clients from cultures other than their own, and identify a rich set of resources in the community by introducing students and professionals to international students and practitioners on campus and throughout the community.

International students and interns shared their experiences in their home countries, as well as in the United States. Afterwards, discussion ensued about the meaning of those experiences for health care in the United States. Internet and curricular materials were developed from the presentations and discussion.