Cultural Competence in Healthcare: An Essential Skill

Cultural Competence Researching and developing awareness of different cultures beliefs, values, and practice can help aid with providing cultural competent care. As a healthcare professional, this is an essential competent for caring for patient of different ethnicity group. “Organizations and individuals who understand their clients’ cultural values, beliefs, and practices are in a better position to be co-participants with their clients in providing culturally acceptable care” (Purnell & Paulanka, 2008, p. 2). During the beginning of this course, I had taken a cultural competency quiz regarding my responses to the patient cultural values and belief practices. I will later discuss how my results from the cultural competency quiz changed

6). We have to examine ourselves and become aware of our cultural beliefs, values and perception view of life. Each cultural is different and what may be acceptable in one culture, may be considered disrespectful in another culture. As a health care professional, we must research our patient cultural belief and practice. We can determine the patient eating habits, communication methods and health beliefs. Being aware of the patient customs and beliefs can help aid with the effectiveness of care rendered to the patient. In the end, the patient will have a better response and improved outcome regarding their

Majority of my responses continued with positive awareness of my patient belief and cultural value. Some of the positive responses includes: treating my clients with respect of their culture, having awareness regarding the roles of family may be different within each culture or family and understanding how culture has an impact on education, religion, and view of wellness. In addition, after taking this course and learning ways to provide competent care to my patient, I was able to turn my negative response originally identified into positive responses. For example, I learn not to impose my belief and values system on my patient. I cannot say my belief and values is the only right path to follow. Each patient has their own values and belief system based upon their cultural differences or preference. I learned to respect and acknowledge the patient indifferences. When the patient recognizes the health care provider respects their belief and practice, they will more likely respond better to their treatment. As a result, there will be an improved outcome of the patient