Cultural Competency

Cultural competency is a hot topic in the health care arena. Indeed, as patient populations grow ever more heterogeneous, administrators and practitioners are beginning to recognize the importance in catering to diverse patient needs. These needs not only span medical procedures, but ethical and inter-personal issues as well.

First Do No Harm

Attitudes toward medicine vary depending on culture, religion, and other belief systems. Indeed, in parts of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, tribal beliefs still hold great sway. Accordingly, people may view medical and emotional illnesses as reflections of spiritual unrest, and, in some cases, spirit or demon activity. Although these views may rest at the extreme end of the continuum, they are emblematic of the many ways in which medical illness and health care may be viewed.

For years, Western doctors eschewed these beliefs and practices. Indeed, they remained dogmatic in their views and insistent on an approach that attempted to indoctrinate patients with their particular views. However, it's a fine line between educating a patient on an illness and over-riding or undermining his or her belief systems. All too often, this rigid approach resulted in poor care, because patients would discontinue treatment prematurely or not adhere to recommended protocols.

Increasingly, health care practitioners are returning to the true roots of Western medicine, those that stress the Socratic method. Models of cultural competence stress that, as doctors become sensitive to the cultural issues that shape health care, they become more responsive and sensitive to patient needs. This in turn allows them to spark an open dialogue that truly listens to patient concerns and works diligently to meet them.