Exercise #42
Multiculturalism and Disease
Authors: Olha Fedortsiv, Emilia Burbela, Vladimir Dzyvak
60 minutes
Description
A small-group case study exercise in which students examine three clinical cases of patients whose cultural traditions create barriers to standard diagnosis and treatment, and propose culturally respectful medical and social strategies.
Methodological Guide
Objectives
Develop an understanding of how cultural customs and traditions influence the perception of illness and the need for treatment. Distinguish between explicit and implicit biases in medical practice. Analyse the health risks arising from culturally motivated refusal of standard care. Propose evidence-based medical and social strategies that respect cultural values without compromising patient safety.
Expected Outcomes
Identify potential cultural biases in clinical case analysis and suggest corrective strategies. Formulate 1–2 specific actions to improve interaction with patients from different cultural backgrounds.
Exercise Procedure
Introduction (5 min): Teacher explains the exercise goal. Group formation (5 min): Divide into subgroups of 3–4; each group receives one situational task. Group discussion (40 min): Each subgroup discusses the case, documents thoughts in workbooks, and prepares conclusions. Plenary (10 min): One representative per group presents conclusions. Reflection: Teacher facilitates reflection on cultural values, health risks, and alternative care strategies.
Mode of Implementation
Group activity (subgroups of 3–4 participants).
Role of the Teacher
Facilitates the exercise with clear instructions and pacing, leads discussion, provides constructive feedback, ensures inclusivity, and summarises learning outcomes.
Theoretical Basis
The exercise is grounded in experiential learning (Kolb), transformative learning, and social constructivism. Students co-construct knowledge about cultural bias through case analysis, dialogue, and role-informed reflection.
Practical Application
Small groups discuss each case, identify cultural barriers to care, and propose alternative strategies. Emphasis is placed on patient-centred communication, ethical decision-making, and equitable access to healthcare.
Knowledge Transfer
Insights transfer to medical education, health administration and policy, research, and interprofessional clinical practice. Core competencies: bias recognition, empathetic patient communication, and evidence-based evaluation of health-related cultural beliefs.
Reinforcement & Reflection
Self-reflection prompts: What cultural beliefs did I notice? How might they influence my clinical decisions? Peer discussion: Share a bias scenario and explore alternative patient-centred approaches.
Required Resources
Clinical case scenarios (embedded above). Workbook for notes.
Assessment / Evaluation
Teacher evaluates each student’s participation in group discussion, workbook entries, and conclusions about cultural values in healthcare.
Practical Tips
Encourage students to consider not only clinical but also social and ethical dimensions. Remind students to reflect on their own cultural assumptions during discussion.
Discussion Topics
1. What cultural beliefs negatively influence treatment? 2. What are the health risks of refusing treatment or certain treatments? 3. How can healthcare professionals help patients with treatment-related cultural biases?
Group conclusions
- Group conclusions — what did you learn about cultural variation in disease interpretation?
Group conclusions
- Group conclusions — what did you learn about cultural variation in disease interpretation?
Further Resources
Lars J. Cultural perspectives of health: A global analysis on attitudes and customs. International Scholars Journals, 2023. Nyakundi A. The Influence of Cultural Heritage on Health Practice. Eurasian Experiment Journal of Scientific and Applied Research, 6(1), 2024. Costa-Font J. Culture plays a role in personal health decisions. LSE Business Review, 2025.
Additional Remarks
Students from module 10: The influence of cultural factors on attitudes towards health and illness.