118 - Culturally Sensitive Care for the Latino Immigrant Population: An Introductory Curriculum for Pediatric Residents

Poster Number: 118
Publication Number: 118.216

Cristina Saez, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States; Hilda Loria, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, United States

Background: Children’s Medical Center Dallas serves a large metropolitan area whose population consists of 18% Latinos, 1/3 of which are immigrants. Serving this population well involves several unique cultural challenges that ACGME requires medical trainees to be exposed to through cultural sensitivity training in medical school and/or residency. Currently, there is limited data on standard curriculum in this area.

Objective: To increase pediatric residents’ perceived knowledge and skills in providing culturally sensitive care to Latino immigrant patients and families in a clinical setting.

Design/Methods: An anonymous needs assessment survey was administered to a group of 116 current pediatrics residents at UTSW medical center to investigate and characterize the need for a cultural sensitivity curriculum within the program. Subsequently, a 4-hour virtual educational session was developed and presented to a group of 29 pediatrics residents. Based on results of the needs assessment, curriculum content focused on an overview of cultural competence, working with interpreters, Latino folk illnesses and common cultural health beliefs, and the unique needs of an immigrant population. The residents’ perceived knowledge and skills were assessed via anonymous pre-session and post-session surveys. Data from these surveys was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test statistical analysis.

Results: 49% of residents (n=57) responded to the needs assessment survey. On a scale of 1 to 10, residents scored the importance of cultural sensitivity education in residency on average of 8.75, while their average knowledge of Latino health beliefs was 5.16. Additionally, 89.5% and 61.4% of respondents noted lack of time and opportunity as barriers, respectively. 100% of participants filled out the pre-session and post-session surveys. There was a statistically significant improvement in perceived knowledge and skill on all 8 areas assessed with a P-value of < 0.001. Conclusion(s): There is a recognized need for more dedicated education on cultural sensitivity education in residency. This project serves as an example of the potential positive impact a didactic session can have on pediatric residents’ perceived knowledge and skillset in cultural sensitivity for a Latino immigrant population.
Cristina Saez CV 2021Saez CV 2021.pdf
Figure 1. Highlights of results from needs assessment survey.