Letters to the Editor - May 16, 2005

Bullying can happen in med school, too - Cultural competency turnabout: Teach immigrants English, American culture

Bullying can happen in med school, too

Regarding "Bully case verdict a warning to doctors" (Article, April 18): During my first semester of medical school in 1983, I was subjected to verbal and physical aggression by a handful of classmates who pressured me to drink alcohol, attend various social events and wear the clothes that they deemed fashionable. They even attempted to dictate where I sat in the lecture hall and how I took notes in class.

When I attempted to defend myself against these inappropriate actions, talk about these experiences with other classmates or seek guidance from the school administration, my concerns were minimized or ignored.

Perhaps AMNews should do a follow-up article about bullying among medical students.

--Brian J. Bohlmann, MD, PhD, Madison, Wis.

Cultural competency turnabout: Teach immigrants English, American culture

Regarding "Cultural competency now law in New Jersey" (Article, April 25): Yet another set of responsibilities is being foisted off on physicians by the government. We will now need to learn "cultural competency" which, I suppose, you can have it mean whatever you want

You state that "an Illinois Senate bill would create a voluntary program to teach foreign languages and cultural understanding to physicians." Which of more than 150 languages that immigrants speak would be required and why? What cultures are we suppose to understand? Why those cultures and not others?

Here is a shocking proposal. Why not have immigrants be required to learn English and teach them American culture, so they can integrate into our society? Why is the tail wagging the dog?

--Robert F. LaPorta, PhD, MD, Dix Hills, N.Y.