Topic last updated Jan. 2006
Definition |
Health
Resources and Services Admin-istration (HRSA) provides
a definition of cultural and linguistic competence:
"Cultural and linguistic competence is a set
of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies
that come together in a system, agency, or
among professionals that enables effective work
in cross-cultural
situations." |
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Addressing Issues
Improving
Cultural Competency: Overview and Introduction
Demographic
changes affect participation in health insurance plans and increase
the need for linguistically and culturally competent health care
services. The Healthy People 2010 Initiative proposes to "Eliminate
health disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minorities by
year 2010, while continuing the progress
in improving the overall health of the American people." 1
Culturally
competent health care allows the health care system to:
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Respond to demographic changes
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Eliminate disparities in the health status of people of diverse
backgrounds
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Improve the quality of services and outcomes
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Meet legislative, regulatory and accreditation mandates
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Gain a competitive edge in the marketplace
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Decrease the likelihood of liability/malpractice claims 2
In
clinical practice, cultural and linguistic competence implies the ability
by health care providers and planners to understand and respond
effectively to the cultural and linguistic needs of patients in
the health care setting. The physician-patient relationship is built
through communication and the effective use of language. Unstated
rules can affect the way individuals perceive, seek, and receive
health care services. Respect is really the essence and the heart
of cultural competence.
Cultural
competence can have a real impact on clinical outcomes. Ignoring
culture can lead to negative health consequences in many ways. For
example, patients may choose not to seek needed services for fear
of being misunderstood or disrespected, and patients may not adhere
to medical advice because they do not understand or do not trust
the provider. Providers may not order appropriate tests or medical
interventions due to cross-cultural misunderstandings.
Understanding the importance of cultural competency is integral to health care providers as they work to improve the health status of their patients.
This
section is divided into three sub-sections. You can click on each
section to go to that page or use the navigation box at the right:
Tips
and Rationale
- Practical
tips for clinicians
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Provides a brief rationale for cultural competence in health care.
HRSA Practices
and Perspectives
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Successful HRSA practices for delivering culturally appropriate
care.
- HRSA
perspectives on cultural competencies for providers working with
various ethnic groups: Hispanic/Latino, African American, Asian
Americans, Pacific Islanders, and American Indian and Alaska Native.
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Issues:Cultural Competency Tips and Rationale |
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