THE DUAL NATURE OF ENCULTURATION IN POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINING AND PRACTICE

18 August 2014

Context: Enculturation is a normal and continuing part of human development. This study examined how medical graduates perceive the process of enculturation after graduation. Study: In a qualitative study of the values of medical graduates associated with the Sydney Medical School, we identified two processes that contributed to the ongoing process of enculturation. Participants were aware of having passively absorbed the explicit and implicit culture of medicine, and of having actively sought to assimilate (or avoid assimilating) the medical culture. The processes of enculturation were particularly evident in relation to three major concerns: competence, patient-centredness and self-care. Conclusion: The participants in our study demonstrated the capacity to reflect on and differentiate between two types of enculturation, absorption and assimilation. They were aware of the impact of enculturation with respect to three main sets of values - epistemic, interpersonal and personal. Faculty development programs could benefit from paying explicit attention to the process of enculturation and its influence on learning and practice. Keywords: Enculturation; medical education; hidden curriculum; mentors