Language skills of UBC medical students: Working toward cultural competency in health care

Tung Siu MASc, Mandeep Mann MSc, Birinder Mangat BSc, Brock Rawstron BSc, Shafik Dharamsi PhD

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As Canada becomes increasingly diverse, the medical community is recognizing the unique challenges of providing health care for patients with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. A singlepage survey was administered to assess the language skills of first-and second-year medical students at the University of British Columbia. More than a quarter of the respondents are fluent in a language other than English as their first language. More than half of the respondents speak one or more languages other than English at a moderate to advanced level. Despite demonstrated ability and interest, a majority of medical students who are fluent in another language do not consider themselves proficient enough to communicate about medical issues with a patient in that language. Bridging this discrepancy will ensure that the health care needs of our multicultural population are better met.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)108-111
Number of pages4
JournalBritish Columbia Medical Journal
Volume51
Issue number3
StatePublished - May 2009

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