SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2024 - As South Korea continues to advance its healthcare system, the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medical education has become increasingly important. St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, located in Grenada, West Indies, is at the forefront of promoting DEI within its academic programs to ensure a more inclusive and effective healthcare system that can benefit diverse populations, including those in South Korea.

The lack of diversity among healthcare practitioners can limit the effectiveness of medical care. When patients are unable to find providers who understand their cultural background, beliefs, or lifestyle, there is a risk of miscommunication and inadequate treatment.

Dr. G. Richard Olds, President Emeritus of SGU, said: “In general, you want your healthcare workforce to resemble the population they serve. Diversity among medical school faculty is also essential since medicine is a mentoring profession.”

Despite global progress in diversifying medical school applicants, medical school faculties often remain predominantly homogenous. This poses a problem for healthcare disparities experienced by underrepresented populations.

Access to healthcare is another critical issue. In South Korea, rural areas often face significant barriers to healthcare services, much like in other parts of the world. Dr. Olds points out that physicians are most likely to practice in areas where they trained or grew up, yet globally, less than five percent of medical students come from rural areas, while a significant portion of the population lives there. This highlights the need for MD programs that support students from diverse economic backgrounds, enabling them to pursue medical careers.

SGU is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. The university provides students with cross-cultural experiences and resources, including academic guidance and financial support, to help them succeed. By prioritizing DEI, SGU aims to produce culturally competent physicians who are well-prepared to meet the needs of a diverse patient population, including those in South Korea.

For Korean students seeking a holistic medical education that emphasizes DEI, the immersive cultural experiences and diverse student body at SGU can better prepare them for a career in a global healthcare environment.

SGU invites prospective students and stakeholders in South Korea to join its mission to enhance DEI in medical education. For more information on the programs and tracks available through its School of Medicine, visit SGU’s website.