There are many federal, state, and private healthcare agency rulings ensuring language and cultural access to quality healthcare for all patients. Yet, in spite of good intent, many caregivers are unsure of the specific knowledge and behaviors implied by the term “cultural competency.”
Here's my “take” on how to become a more culturally and linguistically competent caregiver:
Acknowledge and explore your own biases and prejudices.[1,2]
Learn about the traditions, culture, rules of interaction, family and social roles, health/illness beliefs, and practices of the population groups you serve.[2,3]
Determine the patient's preferred language prior to the visit. Arrange for a professional medical interpreter to be present.[2,4]
Learn and use a few basic greetings in your patients' primary languages as a means of establishing rapport and trust.[2]
Use a little small talk initially to establish a personal relationship.[2]
Use cross-cultural interview techniques to avoid profiling or stereotyping! Question the patient about beliefs relating to disease causation, treatment, and cure.[5,6]
Don't ridicule or dismiss these beliefs or any advice or alternative treatment the patient may have been given by a traditional healer.[2]
Respect religious or cultural rules prohibiting touch or treatment by a person of the opposite sex.[2]
Learn and respect, as much as legally possible, patient health decision-making practices and preferences regarding the disclosure of bad news.[2]
Negotiate a treatment plan that is acceptable to the patient's belief system and lifestyle as well as American medical standards.[2]
Becoming a culturally and linguistically competent caregiver is an ongoing process that takes both commitment and practice, but research indicates that it leads to improved patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
That's my opinion. I'm Suzanne Salimbene, PhD, President of Inter-Face International.
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References
- 1.US Department of Health & Human Services, The Office of Minority Health. Cultural competency. Available at: http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=1&lvlID=3 Accessed September 19, 2006.
- 2.Salimbene S. A Practical Guide to Culturally Competent Patient Care. 2nd ed. Amherst: Diversity Resources; 2005. What Language Does Your Patient Hurt in? [Google Scholar]
- 3.University of Washington Medical Center. Culture Clues. Available at: http://depts.washington.edu/pfes/cultureclues.html Accessed September 25, 2006.
- 4.Flores G. The impact of medical interpreter services on the quality of health care: a systematic review. Med Care Res Rev. 2005;62:255–299. doi: 10.1177/1077558705275416. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Kleinman A, Eisenberg L, Good B. Culture, illness, and care: clinical lessons from anthropologic and cross-cultural research. Ann Intern Med. 1978;88:251–258. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-88-2-251. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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