Development of a cultural competency model in medical education; A qualitative study

Objective (s): despite the efforts made by biomedical investigators in the past three decades to develop an appropriate model and measurement for cultural competence for health care professionals, a comprehensive cultural competencies of medical graduates and its components does not exist in Iran. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to develop a model for identifying the necessary cultural competencies among graduates of medical sciences. Methods: This was a qualitative study. First we reviewed the literature. Then, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 key informants on the field of cultural competence of medical graduates. Finally, a focus group discussion was conducted with the presence of five experts and the findings were obtained. Results: The initial model with the central component of transcendent motivation and three main components of awareness, knowledge, and cultural skills was achieved. Finally, a matrix in three levels of individual (human), university (graduate) and medical professions and three horizontal levels of emotional domain (transcendental motivation), cognitive domains (cultural knowledge and knowledge in general), and behavioral domain (cultural skills). Conclusion: The current model can be used to assess the cultural competencies of graduates of various medical sciences in Iranian universities (while modifying the educational curriculum in universities).