Cultural Competence Of Healthcare Providers

With the process of globalization, the development of medical anthropology, and the change of medical model, cultural differences in the healthcare setting have receiving increasing attention. Healthcare providers are now expected to have cultural competence to ensure quality service for people from diverse cultures.Culture has profound influence on the healthcare setting. Five aspects of cultural influences on the health care context are discussed from a transcultural perspective: 1) health belief systems and their manifestations in different cultures; 2) religion, spirituality, and health care; 3) gender roles in health care; 4) diet; 5) biologic variations.Culture and language can not separate from each other. Different cultures have different languages and communication styles. Communication problems related to multicultural healthcare settings are self-disclosure, language, nonverbal messages, and formality.Three theories are widely used in developing cultural competency training models. Howell's levels of communication competence can help educators reflect on where learners may be in any situation; Bennett's stages of intercultural sensitivity provide a good framework for determining how to work with and improve the capacity for intercultural sensitivity and collaboration; while Culhane-Perea et al describe five levels of cultural competence with respect to health care.Campinha-Bacote's model is the most popular culturally competent model of health care so far. This model views cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural encounters, cultural skill, and cultural desire as the five essential constructs of cultural competence. This model is widerly used to guide research studies, nursing practice and educational programs.