Insights into Delivering Cross-Cultural Medical Education in the UK and Malaysia

Abstract

Newcastle University UK operates an international campus, NUMed, in Malaysia. NUMed delivers the same medical degree programme as in the UK, within a different cultural context. In this paper, medical education faculty and NUMed graduates with experience working in both the UK and Malaysia provide insights into cross-cultural diversity in approaches to learning. Observations from small and large group teaching and approaches to assessment are discussed in relation to students’ cultural backgrounds including previous learning experiences and English language abilities. We provide practice points for educators preparing a diverse range of students to work in global healthcare settings.

Identification of multicultural learning experiences following an international cross campus medical student exchange programme between the UK and Malaysia: a qualitative study

“…Although Newcastle students noted the efficiency of the Malaysian healthcare system in terms of numbers of patients treated in reduced time, the trade-off was doctor led care drawing from a paternalistic healthcare system 34. The more paternalistic approach could be driven by patient preference and cultural factors, with poorer patients and less well-educated patients preferring the paternalistic approach 28 34. For example, the older generation and those less well educated may be more familiar with a paternalistic approach and prefer doctors to make the decisions for them, believing this is the doctor’s role and feeling they are not qualified to take on this shared responsibility 34 35…”

“…This is further highlighted by Azila et al who conducted a study with Malaysian students who reported finding PBL challenging,43 an issue also highlighted by NUMed students when starting at Newcastle. However, interestingly both sets of students adapted to the new approach at each campus and saw the value of a different approach to teaching and learning 28 38…”

“…With greater power distance, as seen more frequently in Asian cultures, staff and students are further apart and are more hesitant to express their views openly, with seniors awarded more respect. In a healthcare setting, patients are more likely to accept the doctors’ view without questioning and will not necessarily expect shared decision-making 28…”

“…However, interestingly both sets of students adapted to the new approach at each campus and saw the value of a different approach to teaching and learning. 28 38 …”

“…An elective typically lasts 4–8 weeks and focuses on an area of medical practice often in an international setting, organised by the student 25 26. Examples of international programmes for preclinical medical students are scarce, and UK medical students have called for initiatives to increase international partnerships and collaborations, to learn about healthcare systems and global issues 12 27 28. In this paper, we describe and explore the learning experiences from an early year international exchange programme established between the UK and Malaysian campuses of one UK medical school.…”