The Importance of Establishing Cultural Competency for Allied Health Professionals Health Professions Network Health Professions Network March 17, 2006 Denise Chapman-Winn PT PhD

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Five Things That Make You Unique

DIVERSITY

DIVERSITY Diversity is "otherness," or those human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groupsDiversity is "otherness," or those human qualities that are different from our own and outside the groups to which we belong, yet are present in other individuals and groups

DIVERSITY WHY??????

US AND DIVERSITY

DIVERSITY RACERACE GENDERGENDER SEXUAL ORIENTATIONSEXUAL ORIENTATION DISABILITYDISABILITY RELIGIONRELIGION CULTURECULTURE ECONOMIC STATUSECONOMIC STATUS

CULTURALCOMPETENCY

CULTURAL COMPETENCY Definition of cultural competenceDefinition of cultural competence "culture" refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious or social groups"culture" refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious or social groups "competence" implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities"competence" implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities

A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professionals, to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.*

WHY IS CULTURAL COMPETENCY IMPORTANT? When health care services are delivered without regard for cultural differences, patients are at risk for sub-optimal care. Patients may be unable or unwilling to communicate their healthcare needs in a culturally insensitive environment, reducing the effectiveness of the healthcare process. Understanding the fundamental elements of culturally and linguistically appropriate services is necessary when striving for cultural competency in healthcare delivery

CULTURAL COMPENTENCY Four Rationales for Cultural Competency in Healthcare DeliveryFour Rationales for Cultural Competency in Healthcare Delivery To respond to demographic changesTo respond to demographic changes To eliminate disparities in the health status of people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgroundsTo eliminate disparities in the health status of people of diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds To improve the quality of healthcare services and health outcomesTo improve the quality of healthcare services and health outcomes To gain a competitive edge in the healthcare market and decrease the likelihood of liability/malpractice claims.To gain a competitive edge in the healthcare market and decrease the likelihood of liability/malpractice claims. (HRSA BRIDGING CULTURES AND ENHANCING CARE-CONFERNCE SUMMARY-MAY 2002)(HRSA BRIDGING CULTURES AND ENHANCING CARE-CONFERNCE SUMMARY-MAY 2002)

CULTURAL COMPENTENCY “In 2002, the IOM published a groundbreaking report, titled Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, which illuminated one of the most critical health care challenges facing the United States. The IOM’s findings that racial and ethnic minorities receive lower-quality health care than white people – even when insurance status, income, age and severity of conditions are comparable – for the first time gave

Evidence-based credence to the assertion that the U.S. health care system is not color blind. The report offered comprehensive evidence to an uncomfortable reality – come people in the United States were more likely to die from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes simply because of their race or ethnicity, not just because they lace access to health care. The report found:

CULTURAL COMPENTENCY Members of minority groups are less likely than whites to be given appropriate cardiac medicines or undergo coronary bypass surgery; Minorities are less likely than whites to receive kidney dialysis or kidney transplants; Minorities are less likely than whites to receive the best diagnostic test or treatments for stroke or cancer;

CULTURAL COMPENTENCY Minorities are more likely to receive less desirable treatments than whites.” The IOM acknowledged that there are many possible reasons for racial and ethnic disparities in health care, including: Cultural and language barriers Time limitations imposed by the pressures of clinical practice;

CULTURAL COMPENTENCY A woeful lack of minority physicians who may be more culturally sensitized to the needs of their patients; Conscious or subconscious biases, prejudices, and negative racial stereotypes or perceptions that affect the way providers deliver care.” Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Care Disparities Where Do We Go From Here?

CULTURAL COMPENTENCY CulturalIncompetence

Cultural Competency ^^^^ Health Literacy

Can You Become CulturallyCompetent???

YESNO

What Can You Do?????