Diversity competence in medical education: short-term effectiveness of an interprofessional diversity-specific undergraduate learning.

Abstract

Background: Diversity competence, diversity itself, and a corresponding awareness of possible (intersectional) discrimination mechanisms have not been anchored in the German National Competence based Learning Objectives Catalogue for Medicine 2.0 (Nationaler Kompetenzbasierter Lernzielkatalog 2.0., NKLM) yet, highlighting a systemic gap in national competency frameworks. We present our first experience with a prospective diversity-specific intervention in medical students to assess its short-term impact on students' diversity acceptance (DA) and to develop actionable recommendations for integrating diversity into medical education.

Methods: We designed a prospective cohort study using a control group (CG) and intervention group (IG) design. The IG absolved a five-day diversity-specific intervention (50 h; field trip; seminar). Quantitative data were collected using the validated DWD-O5 scale at baseline (T0), three months (T3), and six months (T6), complemented by qualitative responses (diversity issues in the medical curriculum; perceptions and criticisms) categorized using Mayring's content analysis. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were performed.

Results: Thirty-one medical students (n = 10, IG vs n = 21, CG) were enrolled. The IG demonstrated a short-term improvement in diversity competence (+ 9.72%) across all DWD-O5 factors during the intervention. While scores slightly declined at T6, they remained above baseline levels. 35% (CG) vs. 56% (IG) have experienced discrimination in context of medical studies on their own. Participants in both groups stressed the importance of integrating diversity criteria into curricula at an early stage (100% agreement). Findings revealed three key themes: perceived inadequacies in current curricula, self-reported discrimination experiences, and a strong desire for practical diversity training, such as simulation-based learning.

Conclusion: The intervention shows promise as an initial step toward addressing diversity gaps in medical education. By combining historical, cultural, and experiential learning approaches, the program fosters essential competencies such as empathy, self-reflection, and bias recognition. More broadly, sustained improvements in diversity competence require longitudinal integration of diversity training across curricula and systemic reforms to national frameworks like the NKLM. Future research should explore the long-term impact of such interventions and strategies for institutionalizing equity-focused medical education.