Diversity and Cultural Competency Case Studies

Submitted by: Jurbie B. Perez, RN

I. Preferential Treatment
1. The Caucasian student have the perception that that the Black student is treated better than
everybody else because of the fact that she was admitted to the medical school with scholarship. There
has been an issue of racism that exists between Caucasians and African-Americans, and as we can see
with this scenario, the Caucasian medical student cannot admit the fact that an African-American was
able to enter the medical school with scholarship, that she is more intelligent than him. He is showing a
non-welcoming attitude. The issue of discrimination with regard to race can also be a factor why the
Caucasian was hostile towards the African American female.
2. No one spoke up during the discussion because most of the people in the scenario belong to
Caucasian race and so, they have the same racist behavior towards the African-American.
3. If I was an observer to this scene, and I belong to Asian race, I can feel that the Caucasian might also
discriminate me because of my race. I will intervene because I have to fight for my right and I will do it
by displaying a calm attitude and I will explain that we all have the right to enter medical school
regardless of racial origin.
4. Person belonging to other race that will enter a predominantly Caucasian Medical school should be
taught on different ways on how to fight racism and discrimination. The school should promote respect
and tolerance, and should provide legal standards to combat racism in the school campus. The school
should regularly perform measures that will oppose racism and also provide ways and means that will
boost the morale of students belonging to other race.
5. Medical students in class should be sensitized to issues of racial and cultural bias in medicine through
studying other cultures, and portraying an attitude of respect to every persons culture.
6. The Black student felt insulted because she was under estimated of her capabilities and intelligence.
The white student was also insulted because she was overpowered by a person of different race.
7. Non-minority students in our school are not resentful regarding specialty programs for minorities.
BIBAK members for example are offered some privileges, and as far as I am concerned, we do not
complain because they deserve to be given such privileges like discounted tuition fees and others.
8. I am very much welcome in this school, and I enjoyed studying here at SMU.


II. Cultural Beliefs in Scientific Presentation
1. The attending physician was so unsympathetic to the style of presentation and the aspects of
patients life because he did understand the culture of Hispanics. He was not able to take into
considerations the religiosity of Hispanics, and that religion has been so much a part of Latino culture,
and religious beliefs are a part of family life. He acted inappropriately because he was culturally
unaware, he tend to be insensitive to other cultures.
2. If I were the student in the scenario, I will be insulted because the attending physician does not
recognize the importance of my culture. I will insist that my presentation will be delivered because it is
my right to be respected, and providing the appropriate care to every patient entails understanding
ones unique culture.
3. Medical school faculty should have transcultural medicine so that racial and cultural issues in patient
care will be addressed appropriately.
4. To incorporate scientifically and culturally relevant issues in a brief presentation, the presenter should
provide the most important things and those issues that have something to do with medicines. Issues
that have no relation to the subject matter should not be included in the presentation.
5. A resident or medical student should read about cultures of the patient they are handling and they
should be respected. There are available resources like books and internet where they can browse to
know the different health practices of different people belonging to different nationalities. There are
things that should be avoided when performing physical examination and they should be knowledgeable
about these things so that appropriate care will be delivered.
6. The attending physician is showing ethnocentrism, he does not accept the importance of practices of
other culture.
Hispanic physician provides respect for her culture.
7. SMU has an established protocol regarding racially related incidents.
III. Affirmative Action
1. The students felt that regardless of what he does, he will not be making any difference because he is a
Native American. He is just taken for granted, and all his efforts whether to excel in class or to have a
poor grade will make no difference.
2. If I am the student, I would say to the faculty member not to judge me according to my racial origin,
but give me the chance to prove my worth in this school, and that I could be as intelligent just like
Caucasians.
3. Disadvantaged students with poor performance should not be maintained in training programs
because it will just create a negative generalization just like the scenario presented. Only those
performing at their best should be maintained.
4. During my high school days, there was one classmate of mine who was unable to read properly, but
because he was an Isinai, he was included in our class which was Section A, the section of students who
got high grades during entrance examination. He was in our class instead of placing him on Section E
because our teachers belonged to Isinai tribe and his grandfather was the mayor of the town. This
experienced is somewhat connected to the scenario presented.
5. The faculty members in the scenario should base their admission criteria on the level of performance
of the minority students. They should provide admission test and only those who will pass will be
allowed to enroll. This measure will somehow remove the unequal treatment of faculty members
towards the minority.
6. If I am the student, I will feel that there will be no room for improvement because whether I perform
well and bad, its the same that I will be accepted in the school. I will be losing my drive to excel in class
because they already give the key to finish line. I will feel aloof to the faculty members because I am
underestimated with my capabilities and potentials.
7. Medical students should not be allowed to participate in the selection process of applicants including
ethnic minority students because they will just create bias. There will be a competition along the process
and the minority students will be judged according to their group, and thus, they may not be admitted
to enter medical school.