A customized, integrated approach to cultural competence education

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Cultural Competence
• Health Equity

Background:

• Increasingly diverse communities necessitate healthcare workers adapting patient care to individual values, beliefs, and lifestyles.
• Effective cultural competence education requires customized curricula aligned with organizational goals and tailored to prevalent ethnic groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a customized, integrated approach to staff cultural competence in a community hospital.
• To engage healthcare staff in learning and behavioral changes that promote health equity and cultural proficiency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the J. Camphina-Bacote (2005) model for cultural competence.
• Developed and implemented a customized, integrated educational program by a hospital diversity committee.
• Focused on readiness to learn and behavior change to promote health equity.

Main Results:

• The implemented approach engaged staff and supported behavioral changes toward cultural proficiency.
• The process demonstrated cultural competence education as an ongoing process, not a single event.
• Highlighted the role of staff educators in identifying needs and recommending system changes.

Conclusions:

• A customized, integrated approach to cultural competence education is effective in healthcare settings.
• Continuous education and system changes are crucial for promoting health equity and cultural proficiency.
• Adherence to Joint Commission standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate care is supported by this model.