Educational Profiling

1
Educational Profiling

• Why are API students having difficulties in their
  clinical years of medical school?

2
The Disparity

• API students do fine as premeds and in their
  first two years of med school.
• But they have difficulties during their clinical
  years (Xu et al. Acad Med 1994 6882).

3
A study of OSU students showed that API students

• Had fewer AOA (honor society) selections than
  would be expected statistically.
• Had a lower mean GPA than Caucasian students.
• Made up 44 of students failing pediatrics (7 of
  16), which was 3 times higher than expected
  statistically.

4
Whats going on?

• Part of it could be cultural- API students are
  brought up to behave in a certain manner, but
  (non Asian) attendings perceive those actions
  differently.

5
Jane Lin-Fu (AAPIJH 2295, 1994) studied
differences in core values between Asians and
Caucasians

• Caucasians
• Individualistic
• Assertive
• Self-confident
• Egalitarian
• Informal

• Asians
• Group-oriented
• Considerate of others
• Modest
• Hierarchical
• Formal

6

• Asians are taught to
• Be active listeners
• Develop consensus
• Not show off
• Not embarrass yourself
• Have substance over style
• (courtesy B. Li)

• Caucasians are taught to
• Be outspoken
• Take charge
• Stand out
• Learn by making mistakes
• Have style over substance (no guts, no glory)

7
How might these differences be perceived?
(courtesy B. Li)

• Asian Behavior
• Quiet
• Modest
• Formal
• Asks few questions
• Respects the professor

• Anglo Perception
• Not assertive
• Doesnt stand out
• Ill at ease
• Not inquisitive
• Not independent-thinking

8
Another hypothesis

• API students could be lacking skills necessary in
  their clinical years
• Time management
• Multitasking
• Communication skills
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Applied knowledge
• Practical life skills
• (courtesy B. Li)

9

• This deficit could be due to less time spent by
  Asian American students in
• Extracurricular activities
• Jobs
• Team sports
• Household Chores
• Volunteering
• (courtesy B. Li)

10

• An OSU study showed that Asian American students
  spent significantly less time in extracurricular
  activities and jobs in high school and college
  than their white counterparts.

11

• The study also showed that Asian parents gave
  significantly less advice to
• participate in extracurriculars
• have part time/summer jobs
• do household chores

12
Summary

• API students have less of the skills necessary
  during the clinical years due to less time spent
  in extracurriculars.
• They are often perceived as being quiet and
  unassertive.

13
This might lead to educational profiling of APIs
as a whole.

• API students may be lumped together as passive,
  which mistranslates to being disinterested and
  lacking knowledge and competence.

14
How do we effect change?

• Attendings must be made aware of cultural
  influences and nuances.
• However, that will take a great deal of time and
  effort.
• Until then, Asian American students have to play
  the clinical game.

15
The clinical game (courtesy B. Li)

• Be assertive, interactive, social, informal, and
  communicative.
• Dont be afraid of making mistakes, asking for
  feedback, or asking about unwritten rules.
• Develop organized work habits and learn to
  multitask.
• Use life experience to relate to patients.
• Style over substance (in certain cases).

16
What you can do prior to your clinical years

• Seek activities outside of the classroom. Pursue
  other passions- theyll help you develop broader
  skills.
• Practice your verbal skills- dont be afraid to
  speak up in class!

17
On the wards

• Find out about unwritten rules, and ask for
  feedback.
• Speak- dont just read from your notes.
• Practice your oral presentations.
• Prepare questions.
• Organize, prioritize, and juggle tasks.
• (courtesy B. Li)

18
Keep in mind

• Because youre playing the clinical game doesnt
  mean youre changing your Asian-ness.
• What you do in class and on the wards doesnt
  change your core values.

19
Controversies

• You might be wondering
• Is there really this huge difference between
  Asians and Caucasians?
• What about the differences between Asian
  subgroups?
• Are these ideas just reinforcing stereotypes
  about Asians?
• More research definitely needs to be done in this
  area, but hopefully this has provoked questions
  in your mind.