Clin Med
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Healthcare inequalities within the UK based on patients' ethnicity have been found over the last five years in a large number of medical specialties. One possible explanation for this lies in ignorance of ethnic minority healthcare needs among professionals. ⋯ The results showed a wide variation in teaching practices between healthcare professions and geographical regions. This study provides evidence for the need for national guidelines to incorporate cultural competency training by all UK healthcare professional training bodies.
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Key influences may be hard to identify. In this personal paper I reflect on the role of the Chair of the Committee for Ethical Issues in Medicine (CEIM) and on ethical issues that have involved the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). ⋯ In order to fulfil additional responsibilities the committee chair must bring to the CEIM practical ethics experience from outside bodies and, in turn, contribute externally through a variety of invitations and opportunities. It is impossible to know how far these spheres of influence extend, but I believe they are, on balance, significant, positive and necessary to the overall life of the RCP.