DO - Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

theme through the COE’s newly developed certificate
program in intercultural communication at OU-COM.
As warm and welcoming as this sounds, Orbe’s program is
no feel-good affirmation fest. In fact, it can be downright
uncomfortable. Participants must critically examine their
own cultural identities, assumptions and biases; learn to
implement communication principles and practice negotiating
patients’ culturally based beliefs about medical care through
simulated interviews.
“This is not cultural sensitivity training. This is about developing
strong communication skills so you get the most meaningful,
productive exchange out of a 15-20 minute meeting with a
patient,” Orbe says.
Developing this dynamic series was a team effort. Burnett,
Ann Brieck, associate director of student affairs, and Harold
C. Thompson III, D.O., director of multicultural affairs, worked
with Orbe to develop the OU-COM certificate program in
intercultural communications, funded by a federal Health and
Human Services Center of Excellence grant.
“Cultural training is growing because of the demand of students,”
Thompson says. “Our world is changing, and students
understand the need to grasp it. We want to provide them
with more practice inside and outside of the classroom.”
Mindful approach
As a biracial, first-generation college student, Orbe was drawn
to the cultural aspects of communication. After earning his
bachelor’s degree at Ohio University, he returned for a doctorate,
also in communication studies, during which time his wife gave
birth to their first child at O’Bleness Hospital. He now teaches
intercultural communication at Western Michigan University.
“There’s an inextricable relationship between culture and
communication,” he says. “I explore ways in which that
relationship manifests.”
Orbe led his first OU-COM seminar, called “Physician-Patient
Communication in a Multicultural Society,” during winter
quarter 2006. Participants met twice, for a total of nine
hours. They earned two academic credits and were given an
overview of basic communication concepts and theories
and how they relate to practical medical settings.
“In terms of health-care communication, what you say and
how you say it leads to different interpretations among
different people,” says Becky Teagarden, a second-year
medical student who attended this first seminar.
In addition to differing disease propensities across cultural
groups, there are differences in healing methods. Many
groups trust traditional remedies—such as indigenous herbs
and healing rituals—to Western medicine. Cultures can also
express differences in their radius of personal space or level
of family involvement in decision-making.
Such cultural tips can be helpful, but it’s impossible to
memorize the genetic predispositions, medical practices and
social etiquette of every culture. The trick, according to
Orbe, is to ask probing questions and cultivate mindfulness.
michaeldibari.com
From left, first-year students Nicholas Niemiec, Michael Finamore, Aaron Wolkoff, Ismail Oshogwemoh, Brett Buller, Jason
Lane, and Baldassare Pipitone toss a ball of yarn to create a network of gratitude, admiration, appreciation and humanity as
the seminar draws to a close.
16 www.oucom.ohio.edu