Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Health Care
Globalization and increased technological advancements have contributed easy movement of people, which has also led to increased boarders. Professionals easily move from one place to another, cutting across different cultural and geographical regions. The increasing diversity in the workplace has proved to accrue opportunities and challenges. In health care, increased diversity has its equal share of opportunities and challenges, especially to the quality of care. Cultural competence in health care involves the delivery of services by health providers and the organization in a manner that is aligned with the cultural, social, and linguistic needs of the patients (Henderson, Horne, Hills, & Kendall, 2018). The health providers should not only understand the cultural differences but integrate these practices into the provision of medical care.
Characteristics of Culturally Competent Nurse
A cultural health care system, therefore, is a system that is sensitive to the patient’s cultural and social factors such as language and way of life believes, among others. One of the fundamental importance associated with a culturally competent care system is that it promotes the quality of health care delivered (Henderson, Horne, Hills, & Kendall, 2018). Besides, the culturally competent care system eliminates racial and ethnic health discrimination and differences available in the highly diverse health systems. Therefore, cultural awareness, as well as the efficient provision of culturally competent services to patients, plays a significant role in improving psychological and physical state positively.
Essentials of Cultural Competence
Fundamentally, health care professionals should provide important guidelines and training programs that empowers health care professionals on matters relating to cultural competence, which greatly improve the quality of care and reduces the barriers relating to linguistic and cultural standards. Failure to provide competent culturally service will automatically result in discrimination and oppression, hence, leading to destruction to patients (Henderson, Horne, Hills, & Kendall, 2018). Therefore, healthcare providers should be keen and concerned about the health of their patients without cultural discrimination.
America is home to diverse people ranging from Caucasians, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Many of the people residing in America do not speak English, or some have difficulties expressing themselves. The language barriers have significantly affected the level amount of care received by these groups (Henderson, Horne, Hills, & Kendall, 2018). The introduction of a culturally competent care system would eventually increase the number of patients accessing preventive care, such as influenza tests and diagnosis.
Furthermore, as a nurse, it is important to be culturally sensitive while providing care to patients. People are social beings, and they would relate to the health care professional who relates to them easily. Cultural competence is the best way to relate to the patient, which would resultantly improve the quality of the service delivered (Henderson, Horne, Hills, & Kendall, 2018). Working in a facility that serves immigrants and refugees requires high training in the field of cultural competence. It is important to engage service providers who understand the culture, language, and social beliefs of the patients.
Lack of cultural competence can lead to dissatisfaction, especially for patients with chronic illness. Chronic patients require critical care, and therefore the health care providers should be culturally acute to deliver the best health care (Henderson, Horne, Hills, & Kendall, 2018). A culturally incompetent care system would lead to dissatisfied patients, which increases the risk of fatalities. It is, therefore, important for medical researchers to continue the search for the best medical practice that would improve cultural competence as a means to improve the quality of services to the patients.