For P.M. ReleaseWednesday, February 28, 2001
For more information, contact: A.J. Wright(847) 384-4034, [email protected]Joanne L. Swanson(847) 384-4035, [email protected] Todd Schuetz(847) 384-4032, [email protected]
Diverse populations prompt changes in doctor-patient communications
SAN FRANCISCO--Growth in diverse populations and cultures, will necessitate changes for physicians if they are to remain current with today's trends.
The Hispanic population is growing significantly; by the year 2004, Hispanics will become the largest minority group in America. Additionally, other cultures including African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, are seeing increases as well.
On Thursday, March 1, 2001, at 3:30 p.m., the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons will host a symposium entitled Diversity and Cultural Competence in Orthopaedic Practice. The symposium will take place during the Annual Meeting in San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center.
The moderator, Augustus A. White, III, MD, PhD, Boston, Chairman of the AAOS Committee on Diversity, and President of the J. Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society, will lead a group of physicians whose focus is on ways to better serve and communicate with individuals from various backgrounds; and how improper communications can adversely affect both doctor and patient.
Joining him as panelist are: Ramon L. Jimenez, MD, San Jose; Michele M. Zembo, MD, MBA, New Orleans; Freddie H. Fu, MD, Pittsburgh; Clarence L. Shields, Jr. MD, Los Angeles; Victoria M. Stevens, MD, Claypool, AZ; and Michael Byrd, MD, Boston.
Diversity will impact office practice management, patient-physician communication, patient compliance, and satisfaction. The manner in which the medical community relates to its patients, will play an important role in the success of individual practices.
Some of the topics to be discussed include: Culturally Competent Orthopaedic Care of the Hispanic Patient, Women and Diversity, Considerations in the Asian Population, Experiences in Treating Cultural Afro-American patients, The American Indian and Alaskan Native. The audience will be updated on the President's Initiative on Race and Health -- Eliminating Disparity by year 2010, and the US Government Council on Medical Education.
According to Dr. White, III, "there are three mutually interconnecting forces: 1) diversity in orthopaedics 2) cultural competence 3) elimination of disparity within the musculoskeletal practice."
The 25,5000 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (http://www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (http://www.bonejointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-20010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. The Academy's annual meeting is being held February 28-March 4, 2001, at the Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco. # # #
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