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Overview

Core Competencies for Improving Health and Health Care

Cultural Competence is the ability of providers and organizations to  effectively deliver health care services that meet social, cultural and linguistic needs of patients. A Culturally Competent healthcare system can foster improvements in health outcomes and quality of care and can contribute to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.

Cultural Competence should be applied to specific populations:
  • English speaking
  • Limited-English speaking
  •  Non-English speaking

Currently, the English-speaking population is left out of the cultural competency conversation, particularly the elderly Black Population.

Cultural Competence must be bi-directional:
  • American born physicians to foreign born patients
  • Foreign born physicians to American born patients
  • American physicians to American born patients who are different from themselves

If the patient is not valued, then I may not obtain the required consents.

  • I may be detached from the patient engagement process.
  • I may not be as effective in explaining medical issues and medication as well as I should.
  • I may not engage the family.
  • I may unintentionally substitute “Do no harm” for harm.
  • I may (un)intentionally influence other staff behavior.
Side view of diverse medical team of doctors talking with each other in circle in lobby at hospital

Here are recommendations for health system culture change

  • I am embarrassed to talk about my living arrangements.
  • I have not accepted the disease.
  • I do not understand what you are saying.
  • I cannot afford the medications.
  • I am scared to death about my condition.
  • I am worried about the impact on my job and finance
    I do not trust the medicine and I am going to try home remedies.

2 Min read to complete

  • I am not smart enough to understand my disease.
  • I am in the low literacy group; therefore, I have low intellectual capabilities.
  • You do not think I am going to follow your instructions.
  • You people do not usually follow instructions.
  • You do not see the need to value and understand my cultural beliefs.
  • You do not see me as valuable as you.

2 Min read to complete

  • Non-compliant label without asking “why”. If it is not known why an individual did not comply with instructions and or medications, the impact can lead to poor health outcomes. The “Why” question is a clear example of the “Simple” solution.
  • Frequent flyer–no longer human.
  • What percent of patients specifically get these negative labels? 10%? 20%? 50%?
  • Does the care provided lack empathy?

Video 48 Min  + 2 Min read to complete

Learn Strategies that will address 3 concepts

  • Patient Engagement
  • Cultural Competence for inclusive of the English speaking population
  • The common thread, The Human Experience

Schedule Cultural Competence Training for Your Institution.

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