Gabriel N. De Vela, MD; Caitlin Kaeppler, MD; Sonia B. Mehta, MD; Jaimee M. Hall, DO, MA; Kelsey Porada, MA; Carmen E. Cobb, MD
WMJ. 2023;122(1):48-51.
ABSTRACT
Background: As refugees adjust to a new country, their health care can take a toll. Refugees may have difficulty navigating a new health care system and experience low health self-efficacy. Another potential contributor is inadequate medical trainee curriculum addressing refugee health.
Methods: We devised simulated clinic experiences called mock medical visits. Surveys were utilized before and after the mock medical visits to assess the Health Self-Efficacy Scale for refugees and the Personal Report of Intercultural Communication Apprehension for trainees.
Results: Health Self-Efficacy Scale scores increased from 13.67 to 15.47 (P = 0.08, n = 15). Personal Report of Intercultural Communication Apprehension scores decreased from 27.1 to 25.4 (P = 0.40, n = 10).
Discussion: While our study did not reach statistical significance, the overall trends suggest mock medical visits can be a valuable tool to increase health self-efficacy in refugee community members and decrease intercultural communication apprehension in medical trainees.