Observational Study of the Effect of ESFT Approach on Cross-Culture Competency Teaching for Young PGY Physicians

Background The increasing multicultural demands in healthcare, driven by globalization and the growing population of new immigrants, have highlighted the need for improved cross-cultural competence among medical professionals. This study aims to investigate the impact of a cross-cultural competence course, based on the ESFT (Explanation, Social and Environmental Factors, Fears and Concerns, Therapeutic Contracting) model, on young physicians' cultural sensitivity and related competencies within Taiwan’s healthcare system. Methods Forty young PGY physicians enrolled in this study and ESFT teaching model was implemented. By using a mixed-methods approach, which combines both quantitative and qualitative surveys allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the course's effectiveness. Results It showed that significant improvements in cultural sensitivity, multicultural perceptions, multicultural competencies, and cultural care competence, particularly among male physicians and those with over two years of clinical experience. However, female participants and those with less clinical experience did not demonstrate significant improvement. The study identifies regional cultural diversity as a potential factor contributing to the observed differences in competence development. Furthermore, qualitative feedback emphasized the importance of real-life clinical scenarios in enhancing learning outcomes. Conclusion The study's findings underscore the need for targeted, adaptable cross-cultural education programs that account for gender and clinical experience differences. Future research should focus on long-term effects and diversified teaching strategies to optimize cross-cultural competence training in medical education. This approach could improve physician-patient communication and healthcare quality in increasingly multicultural societies.