Understanding Cultural Self-Efficacy Among Medical Students

Abstract

Cultural competency has become an integral factor in healthcare over the past couple decades. The most frequently assessed component of cultural competency is the concept of cultural self-efficacy. Cultural self-efficacy is the confidence and belief in one’s own ability to interact with and treat patients of various cultural backgrounds adequately and properly. Despite the numerous studies on medical professionals concerning cultural competency and more specifically cultural self-efficacy, there is still a gap in the literature focused on the cultural competency and self-efficacy among medical students. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper comprehension of the cultural self-efficacy among medical students. Particularly, this study aims to understand perceived self-efficacy and cultural competence among medical students based on their previous experiences interacting with different cultures and their beliefs regarding cultural competence practices as future medical doctors. A survey was administered to current medical students including constructs on experience with diverse cultures both within and outside of medical settings, as well as perceived ability and beliefs regarding cultural competency practices with a diverse patient population. The results of this study will expand knowledge on the cultural self-efficacy among medical students and inform potential educational strategies to increase cultural self-efficacy among medical students.