Provider factors affecting adherence: cultural competency and sensitivity

In this article, lessons learned from the Chronic Care Model are discussed by addressing provider factors that may affect the delivery of care and patient adherence. Specifically, issues related to the provision of culturally competent and sensitive care are discussed in terms of race-concordant and discordant patient-provider relationships. Strategies for beginning and continuing the process of becoming culturally competent are presented, such as the ASKED framework for determining one's level of cultural competency and the LEARN framework for enhancing the patient-provider relationships. Lastly, tips are presented to assist providers in knowing their patients better which will ultimately enhance cultural competency and patient adherence to treatment regimes.