Lessons Learned: Developing an Online Training Program for Cultural Sensitivity in an Academic Psychiatry Department

Psychiatr Serv. 2021 Oct 1;72(10):1233-1236. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.202000015. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Abstract

This column describes the development and impact of an innovative three-part online cultural sensitivity training program for faculty and staff of an academic medical center's psychiatry department. The goal of the training was to equip faculty and staff with skills to address issues of diversity in their clinical practice. Three online modules were offered. Evaluations after the second module suggested that participants felt most comfortable interacting with people of diverse backgrounds and least comfortable intervening after witnessing a microaggression. Participants found the modules to meet the learning objectives and the technology to be user friendly. Future directions include embedding cultural humility and antiracism frameworks within department practices and policies.

Keywords: Cultural sensitivity; Diversity; Equity and Inclusion; Psychiatry/general; Quality improvement; cultural humility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Curriculum
  • Humans
  • Psychiatry* / education