Caribbean medical schools are shaping more culturally competent physicians by blending rigorous academics with immersive global experiences, according to Dr. Toni Liggins, St. George’s University School of Medicine’s associate dean of clinicals.
In a recent article for the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Liggins shared how these programs foster cultural humility and deepen awareness of global health issues—skills that are essential in today’s increasingly diverse healthcare landscape.
Dr. Liggins highlighted the meaningful, yet often-overlooked value of international medical training in the article, The Hidden Benefits of Caribbean Medical Education, published on the APA’s website on July 10.
“Stepping outside of one’s comfort zone can be equivalent to planting seeds of awareness and empathy that will later grow into cultural competence during clinical encounters,” she wrote.
A Caribbean medical education offers “a valuable—although often hidden—curriculum that may not be fully appreciated until its graduates are in clinical practice,” she added.