These students are outside that whole culture. Patients very quickly warm to the possibility of educating someone to the type of life they lead. Practicing in San Antonio, where a majority of the population is Hispanic, raises different issues of cultural sensitivity for Dr. Bair. She is fluent in Spanish, and her own Mexican-American background makes her aware of the customs, beliefs and traditions of her patients. She believes cross-cultural training has a place in medical school.
Several factors are likely to be involved, including subconscious bias.
The patient's association with a specific group may activate a cultural stereotype in the provider 'mind. Thus, we should encourage cross-cultural training in medical education to assist providers in overcoming these types of barriers. We want to encourage you to use the Alumni Notes section of this site to help keep us up to date on your home and work addresses and phone numbers, along with information about you, your career, your accomplishments and interests.