Valuing diversity: helping medical students explore their attitudes and beliefs

The General Medical Council of the United Kingdom has defined a set of standards for doctors dealing with patients, including respecting the diversity of lifestyles and beliefs of patients. These have been incorporated into the Personal and Professional Development (PPD) course unit of the undergraduate medical curriculum at Leeds University. The objectives of PPD include helping students understand how age, gender, culture, sexuality and disability affect how events are experienced or perceived. In 2002 seminars were run on valuing diversity to encourage students to develop insight into and reflect on their own attitudes to diversity. The sessions were evaluated and assessed by means of student feedback and as part of a written PPD exercise. Students rated the sessions highly and appeared to learn a great deal about diversity including approaches to communication and breaking down stereotypes. Their evaluation will help to improve the course.