What's New | May 25, 2011

Cultural Competence

Health care professionals increasingly encounter patients from diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds, yet they are often ill-equipped to understand and respond effectively to the patient's cultural needs. Health care organizations can facilitate the cultural competence of their staff by establishing a set of congruent policies, attitudes, and behaviors that promote effective cross-cultural interactions and patient outcomes.

The featured Innovations describe three programs that have implemented strategies to increase providers' cultural and/or linguistic competence.

The featured QualityTools describe practical resources on cultural competence for providers.

Featured Innovations:

• Culturally Sensitive, Multidisciplinary Assessment, Treatment, and Support Significantly Increase Treatment Rates for Depressed Chinese Americans in Primary Care

• Low Overhead Clinic Extends Access to Affordable, Culturally Competent Conventional and Alternative Medicine for Uninsured and Underinsured

• Trained Peers Provide Culturally Appropriate Education and Support to Refugees, Improving Access to Breast Cancer Screening and Treatment

Featured QualityTools:

• Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care: A Roadmap for Hospitals
Developed by The Joint Commission

• Cultural Competence: Essential Ingredient for Successful Transitions of Care
Developed by National Transitions of Care Coalition

• Genetic Counseling Cultural and Linguistic Competence Toolkit
Developed by Nancy Steinberg Warren, MS, CGC

Featured Articles:

• A Conversation on Cultural Competence With Cindy Brach, Senior Health Policy Researcher, AHRQ

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Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• Advocacy Firm Assists Patients in Choosing Providers/Treatments and Coordinating Care, Leading to Quick Access to Services and High Satisfaction

• Bicultural, Youth Development Program for At-Risk Latino Families Enhances Overall Health, Teen Birth Control Use, and Family Communication

• Medicaid Plan Offers Diabetic Patients Access to Fitness Facilities and Coaching, Leading to Weight Loss and Improvements in Cholesterol and Blood Glucose

• Michigan Pathways Project Links Ex-Prisoners to Medical Services, Contributing to a Decline in Recidivism

• Multidisciplinary, Clinic-Based Teams Support Obese Children in Changing Behaviors, Leading to Increased Physical Activity, Improved Diet, and Weight Loss

• New Communication Protocols, Inclusive Policies, and Ongoing Training Lead to Culturally Competent Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients

• Standardized Protocol Reduces Likelihood of Pneumothorax and Death in Low Birthweight Infants

• Statewide, Team-Based Fitness Program Uses Online Social Networking and Competition to Promote Exercise and Weight Loss in Adults

QualityTools >

• A Toolkit for Serving Diverse Communities
Developed by U.S. Administration on Aging

• Barriers to Care Map
Developed by University of Washington Medical Center

• The Options Counselor
Developed by Arizona Aging and Disability Resource Center; Arizona Department of Economic Security

• Your Heart, Your Life: A Lay Health Educator's Program
Developed by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.)