Context is crucial to comprehension.  In the case of allopathic medicine in the U.S., we need to consider what America is, or more over, what America is not.  America is not Europe; it is not Eastern or Western Asia, it is not Australia, South or Central America, Africa, Canada, or Mexico.  America is all of them.

 

Likewise, the topical choices of educating our medical professionals must reflect that diversity.  It must also reflect the cultural issues brought on the disparity between a static human biology and a rapidly changing technology. 

Thus, we must consider populations such as people changing careers late in life, women who have raised their families and now are returning to higher education and/or the clinical workplace, emotionally and developmental challenged individuals stabilized with medications, etc.  Ultimately our perspective must be one derived from the collective perspective of a highly complicated, and richly promising nation. 

Definitively, that can only be the U.S.A.  It is sub optimal and disingenuous to extend empathy for the issues of one element of society and ignore those of the opposite.  It is not appropriate or promotional of our goal as a public institution of higher learning to decide whose issues are valid, and whose are not.  Our job is to remove any all obstruction preventing the institution from providing the best education possible. 

Let us not forget UCLA is a public Institution, and hence responsible to the public, which is all of us, no matter how white or black, how rich or poor, how fit or frail True some members of “ethnic minorities” have different issues than some members of the “non-ethnic majority”. 

However, the real issue, in providing the most optimal education environment for researchers, physicians, and other clinical personnel is addressing, any and all, obstructive issues in order to produce the most competent medical professionals. 

It is harder to be America than any other nation, and that affects society at every level including providing public education.  With many diseases at global epidemic status, the issue is to survive. 

If humans are to survive this crucial evolutionary juncture, the “Gettysburg” of the struggle for human health will take place in America.  More importantly, we will win or lose the battle in America.

-Dr. Gordon
About Dr. Gordon
Advisory Committee
Course Materials
Lecture Materials
The Billy Clubs
Current Research

The Ultimate Goal of the Advisory Committee for Collective Concerns in Medicine is to promote human health status by promoting “omni competence.” In a word omni competence speaks to a cohesive mechanism comprised of researchers, educators, clinicians, students and patient populations functioning at optimal capacity to promote the health and well being of all people, in all circumstances involved in health care.

Specific Goals

  • Establish a Parities in Medicine Series
  • Assist with Curriculum Development
  • Assist with increasing efficacy of lines of communication;
  • internal to internal lines
  • external to internal lines
  • internal to external lines

Define “Collective Concerns,”

  • Include European Ethnic Groups
  • Include Behavioral Populations
  • Include Vocational Populations
  • Create a Database of Collective Population Resources

Mind Body Spirit Eco-Awareness

  • Furthing understanding of the Biological Basis for Aberrant Behavior
  • Increasing Awareness of Brain Function and Breaches between Cognitive Perception and Biological implementation

Execution

  • Construct the Internal Board of Advisors
  • External Board of Advisors
  • Acquire a Room for the Lectures
  • Establish the manner of distributing the information
  • Set the Lecture Schedule
  • Investigate the possibility of CME credit for attendance
  • Establish a 2 part Genogram Workshop
  • Seek Funding
    • NIH Funding
    • Private Funding


BACKGROUND

The University of California at Irvine is the pioneered the program in the UC Systems, that his inspired this proposal.

The University of California at Irvine has developed a unique course speaking to diversity issues in medicine that primarily focuses on addressing the disparities in healthcare that many patient populations face due to cultural bias. This course is supported by the UCI College of Medicine, Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity and School of Biological Sciences. It is open to all UCI students, staff as well as the broader community.

The primary goal of this course is to provide information that will assist health care professionals to maximize the quality of patient care in a diverse society. Health care professionals provide culturally competent patient care by focusing on the major concepts of awareness, clinical and communication skills, attitudes, and behaviors. By first understanding the impact of culture on patient care, one will begin to make the connection between cultural competency at the individual practitioner level and how that can be integrated into the health care system.

A second goal is to stimulate and promote interest in cross-cultural medicine among students. Addressing Disparities in Healthcare will familiarize students to new ideas emerging in the medical field, as well as expose students to the health needs of under served communities. This course will allow students to explore clinical, public service, and research opportunities available in related fields.

Lastly, with the information and materials presented in Addressing Disparities in Healthcare, a goal is to create a culturally friendly and diverse atmosphere at the UC Irvine College of Medicine for students, visitors, and the community.

 

Comparative Objectives