Interculturalisation of medical education in the Netherlands

The number of immigrants within the Netherlands is rapidly increasing. Towards the year 2010 two million first- or second-generation allochthonous persons will be living in the Netherlands. Their origin is extremely diverse. One district of Rotterdam contains more than 100 different nationalities. Medical education should prepare for these changes in the patient population. Education on import diseases as well as on communication via interpreters is necessary. The characteristics of the Dutch healthcare system (partnership between physician and patient, limited use of drug therapy, emphasis on lifestyle advice, and a central role of primary care) should remain the hallmark of medical education. The rapid influx of second-generation, non-western medical students to the medical faculties should be used to realise internal changes to the medical education system, so that it is adapted to the different medical needs of all persons in the Netherlands.