ABSTRACT
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects a large number of the American population. When compared to their representation in the general American population, a disproportionate number of Latinx individuals are affected. Within the Latinx American population, T2DM prevalence rates vary among individuals based on their country of origin. Deaths from T2DM among Latinx American population are also more compared to other ethnicities. This disparity underlines the importance of understanding the cultural considerations of T2DM disease presentation and management in Latinx communities, including risk factors, socioeconomic variables, and other social determinants of health such as access to care. There are various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for the development of T2DM, regardless of race. Staple foods in the diet of Latinx American communities, such as tortillas, rice, and beans, can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and can lead to obesity, which predisposes patients to develop T2DM. Latinx American populations suffer from lower access to healthcare than the general population due to many reasons, including language proficiency, immigration status, socioeconomic status, and level of acculturation. This study utilized the format of a commentary, while incorporating elements of a scoping review for data collection, to further explore these disparities and their impact on these populations. Understanding the cultural beliefs of Latinx individuals and how these beliefs contribute to the perceived development of T2DM is essential to properly treat these unique populations. Despite high rates of T2DM affecting Latinx individuals, non-adherence to prescribed diabetes medications is high among these populations. Interventions in the form of culturally tailored preventative education, in addition to active T2DM management, are necessary to combat the toll of this disease on Latinx Americans. Generic interventional techniques and methods should be replaced entirely by those that acknowledge, highlight, and utilize the sociocultural characteristics of Latinx Americans.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Medical education is oftentimes stressful and has been documented to compromise student well-being, hinder performance, and contribute to burnout. Many medical schools aim to foster students' sense of well-being. This can be accomplished by peer-assisted learning (PAL), which has the potential to improve student wellness and performance in medical school. METHODS: The PAL program at Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine provides first-year medical students with educational sessions related to their curriculum, led by second-year medical students. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of PAL in promoting wellness and enhancing knowledge. Pre- and post-program surveys were distributed to students prior to and after the completion of PAL. Data analysis included frequencies of responses, qualitative analysis, and chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-eight out of 51 first-year medical students responded to the pre-program survey (response rate 75%) and 23 out of 51 responded to the post-program survey (response rate 45%). A majority of respondents from the pre-survey believed that PAL would provide them with tools necessary to be successful. These findings were similar in the post-program survey with a majority of attendees sharing that PAL enhanced their knowledge, reduced test-taking anxiety, and provided useful skills. DISCUSSION: Results from the pre- and post-program surveys suggest that PAL can enhance student well-being while improving knowledge of the material taught in medical school. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-021-01381-0.
