Improving Cultural Competency Among Medical Professionals Kansas Public Health Association, Inc Fall Conference

Kansas Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC) KFMC is a not-for-profit organization and is the federally designated quality improvement organization (QIO) for the state of Kansas, and as such contracts with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. KFMC also holds review contracts with other public and private clients.

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed an e-learning program titled “A Family Physician’s Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Care”. This is an interactive online course based on the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS).

There is growing evidence of a health outcomes connection with cultural competence interventions such as provision of language services and awareness/respect of cultural practices. The CLAS standards provide policy and practice guidelines for healthcare systems in order to improve the quality of care for culturally diverse populations.

Cultural Competency is “the level of knowledge-based skills required to provide effective clinical care to patients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors. The ultimate goal is a healthcare system and workforce that can deliver the highest quality of care to every patient, REGARDLESS of race, ethnicity, cultural background, or English proficiency.

CMS, U.S. OMH, and the Kansas OMH are involved in this project. The targeted audience is Physician Offices (particularly Family Practice and Internal Medicine) and Health Clinics serving the Medicare population. These healthcare providers are important partners in this project as patients are likely to see them first for healthcare services.

Results/Progress of this project have been mixed. Most common refusals to participate: –We are already overloaded with requirements from CMS and until it is mandated we probably won’t find the time to do it. –We really don’t see that many of those types of people.

Positive responses about the project: –Guidelines were valuable. –Legal requirements were useful to know for any physician in practice. –Not too basic. –Not too complex. –KFMC support materials and access to resources were most helpful. –It is all FREE and licensed staff received FREE CMS’s & CEU’s.

The expected impact is that our combined efforts will result in: –Increased patient satisfaction. –Increased patient compliance. –Decreased provider and office staff frustration. –Decreased healthcare disparities.

–Taking your handouts back to your own Medical Directors and Office Managers. –Spread the word about this wonderful educational opportunity. KPHA Conference attendees can support this project by:

There are guidelines and resources available to address Cultural Diversity for the taking. All You Have To Do Is Call!