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Interdisciplinary Program
Designed to Prepare Student Health Professionals for the Cultural
Aspects Affecting Medical Service Delivery in Rural Areas
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Denise G. Bender, JD, PT, GCS
Brett R. Braziel, SPT
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Allied Health,
Oklahoma City
Citation:
Bender, DG., Braziel, BR.
Interdisciplinary Program Designed to Prepare Student Health Professionals
for the Cultural Aspects Affecting Medical Service Delivery in Rural Areas.
The Internet Journal of Allied Health
Sciences and Practice. October 2004. Volume 2 Number 4.
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Abstract
Minorities are significantly underrepresented in the medical
professions as compared to the US population as a whole. This
discrepancy highlights the need to prepare students to practice in a
culturally competent manner. This is especially true for those
students who plan to practice in rural areas. Rural practice
requires not only the skill of cultural competence, but also the
ability to work with other disciplines as part of a team, due to the
shortage of health professionals. This article outlines a month-long
clinical rotation developed by the health professions programs in
Oklahoma and funded through a grant to Oklahoma’s Area Health
Education Centers. This funded program combined mentoring, clinical
experience, and didactic information on cultural awareness to
prepare students to work together to provide care for members of the
Choctaw Nation. |
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Keywords and terms:
interdisciplinary teams; rural health; cultural competency; entry-level
health professional education |
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