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Cross-Cultural Psychiatric Residency Training: The Oregon Experience

Received July 31, 2006; revised November 17, 2006, and March 15, 2007; accepted June 18, 2007. The authors are affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore.; Dr. Boehnlein is affiliated with the Veterans Administration Northwest Network at the Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center in Portland, Ore. Address correspondence to James K. Boehnlein, M.D., Department of Psychiatry (UHN 80), Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239; boehnlei{at}ohsu.edu (e-mail).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe the goals and structure of cross-cultural psychiatric training at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). This training in core knowledge, skills, and attitudes of cultural psychiatry over the past three decades has included medical students, residents, and fellows, along with allied mental health personnel. The curriculum includes both didactic sessions devoted to core topics in the field and varied clinical experiences in community settings and the Intercultural Psychiatric Program under the supervision of experienced academic faculty. METHODS: The authors review the central elements of the training experiences and include a detailed description of the core clinical settings and experiences. RESULTS: At the conclusion of their clinical experiences, trainees have specialized cross-cultural psychiatric knowledge and skills, including treatment of refugees and immigrants, sociocultural variables that influence the assessment and treatment of a wide range of psychiatric conditions, and comfort with cultural dynamics that influence both the doctor/patient relationship and collaboration with a wide range of mental health professionals. CONCLUSION: Because of rapid demographic changes in the U.S. population, providing cross-cultural training for students, residents, and fellows is an essential foundation for the education of the next generation of clinicians and health care leaders. OHSU has provided a long-term model for this training in a busy clinical and academic setting that places an emphasis on multidisciplinary and multicultural collaboration.

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