Adapting to life as a medical trainee challenges any student. Minority students—African Americans, Mexican Americans, native Americans, mainland Puerto Ricans, and Hawaiians—whose backgrounds often differ from those who govern medical centers, need also adapt to the values, beliefs, and customs of the dominant group. Mentors with similar backgrounds, who can serve as role models, are usually sorely lacking. This book is designed to help minority students thrive personally and academically in medical school, to make a realistic assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, to successfully confront societal myths and stereotypes and to develop healthy strategies to meet academic, personal, and relationship needs. Dr. Carmen Webb, having assisted countless medical students with these very issues, has assembled an outstanding cadre of insightful professionals to address these important needs, each highly qualified and devoted to promoting medical student well-being.
Table of Content
PART ONE: NAVIGATING A NEW WORLD
Medical Culture
Mastering the First Two Years
Life on the Wards
When All the Rules Change
Now What Will I Do? Preparing for Residency
PART TWO: FOCUS ON ME
Do I Really Belong Here?
Taking Care of Myself
Building a Community
PART THREE: FOCUS ON MY CULTURE
Focus on African American Medical Students
Focus on Native American Medical Students
Focus on Mexican American Medical Students
Focus on Puerto Rican Medical Students
Managing Racism