Evaluation of a new cultural competency training program: CARE Columbus

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Cultural Competency Training
• Public Health Education

Background:

• Cultural competency is crucial in healthcare settings.
• Effective training programs are needed to improve healthcare provider interactions with diverse populations.
• The CARE Columbus program was developed to address this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the educational outcomes of the CARE (Cultural Awareness and Respect Through Education) Columbus cultural competency training program.
• To evaluate the initial effectiveness of the training in improving participant attitudes, knowledge, and skills.

Main Methods:

• A 3-hour CARE Columbus cultural competency training program was delivered.
• Questionnaires were administered to participants (N=601) from March 2006 to April 2008.
• A pilot work site implementation questionnaire was sent to a subset of participants.

Main Results:

• The program received a high overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.
• A 63% completion rate was achieved for program questionnaires (379/601).
• A 55% completion rate was achieved for pilot work site questionnaires (33/60).

Conclusions:

• The CARE Columbus program demonstrates initial effectiveness in enhancing cultural competency.
• Further research is warranted to identify and overcome work site implementation barriers.
• Developing a sustainable business plan is essential for program outreach and longevity.