The ELDER expansion project: building cultural competence among long term home care workers

This study aimed to improve communication and care provision in five home or long term care settings by raising staff awareness about health beliefs and patterns among varied cultures. Lack of cultural competence is linked to ethnocentric attitudes that can lead to inappropriate communication and ineffective interventions. Understanding the culturally imbedded belief systems of patients and providers is an integral part of effective communication skills that are foundational to optimal team functioning. Participants included five home or long term care agencies in an underserved region of New England. Seventy-four nurses, aids and allied health professionals participated in 10-12 small group interactive sessions. Comparison of pre and post cultural self efficacy scores revealed that participant confidence regarding their knowledge and skills when interacting with other cultures improved interactions with patients and co-workers. Journal exemplars supported the ability of attendees to apply content to the workplace.