Culture: Cultivating Unified Lives through Understanding, Reflecting and Educating
Purpose:
The purpose of this student organization is to: • Be a catalyst in recognizing the importance of individual differences
• Build courage in addressing topics that are unfamiliar
• Spark awareness of cultural humility
• Cultivate cultural competence to better serve patients of all backgrounds
Description:
Cultivating Unified Lives Through Understanding, Reflecting, and Educating (CULTURE) is a student-driven organization established in Spring 2019 by two University of Lynchburg DPT students. There was recognition of a disconnect between what the community and curricular resources were able to provide to students and the level of cultural proficiency DPT students need in order to meet the increasing health care needs of a growing diverse population. Without proper diversity education and cultural encounters, PTs are less likely to provide and meet the healthcare needs of these individuals and are unable to create a therapeutic alliance resulting in the continuing healthcare gap for minorities. The goal of the group was to provide a safe space for all students and faculty in attendance to learn about one another’s struggles, convictions, feelings, and backgrounds to explore and expand one’s cultural awareness and knowledge. The mission of the group is to embody an open-minded learning environment which brings awareness to cultural topics in modern society in order to facilitate discussions that promote personal and professional growth.
Summary of Use:
Through dynamic dialogue, testimonials, and interactive activities, members were able to find strength in vulnerability while having their differences be recognized and respected among their peers; these are essential skills clinicians must acquire to obtain positive health outcomes from multicultural populations. In order to address patients holistically and with a biopsychosocial approach, it was critical to address the differences in age, race, ethnicity, weight status, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and language. CULTURE focused topics toward groups that are at risk within the healthcare system. These topics included Race/Stereotypes, LGBTQIA+, Building a Culture of Inclusion, and Recognizing Your Own Biases. With an average of 25 students and faculty regularly attending meetings, this organization facilitated deeper connections and feelings of belongingness among students within the DPT program. Participation in this organization allows students to move beyond the curriculum while exploring many real world topics that can greatly affect future patient interactions.
Importance to Members:
Establishing a group similar to CULTURE in any healthcare setting supports the 2019 APTA House of Delegates position on improving culture and diversity in the healthcare environment. It upholds the Core Values and advances initiatives of the APTA Department of Minority Affairs, including goals of better representing the increasing diversity in the United States. For academic programs, this group allows increased recruitment and retention of minority students, enhances classroom discussions, challenges racial conflicts, and prepares all students, including non-minority students, to work more effectively with diverse patients. The intention of developing groups such as CULTURE is to increase positive attitudes toward providing equitable care to underrepresented populations.