Building a multicultural peer-consultation team: Planning, implementing, and early sustainment evaluation

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Medical Education
• Cultural Competence in Healthcare

Background:

• Academic medical centers require effective training for mental health professionals.
• Multicultural competence is crucial for addressing diverse patient populations.
• Peer-consultation offers a collaborative approach to professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and impact of a multicultural peer-consultation team.
• To assess the effects of team participation on mental health care providers.
• To identify strengths and barriers related to the sustainability of such teams.

Main Methods:

• An implementation-focused evaluation using anonymous self-report questionnaires (n=14).
• Individual (n=3) and group (n=10) interviews conducted by independent evaluators.
• Inclusion of current and former team members (trainees, providers, staff).

Main Results:

• Team participation significantly increased members' ability to provide multiculturally competent care.
• No negative impacts were reported by participants.
• Relevance and usefulness of participation were key strengths for team sustainability.

Conclusions:

• The multicultural peer-consultation model is a promising and implementable educational method for mental health professionals.
• Competing demands, such as high clinical loads, represent a significant barrier to participation.
• Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact and scalability of this model.