Effectiveness of Cultural Competence Programs

Question: Discuss about the Effectiveness of Cultural Competence Programs. Answer: Introduction: Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competency is a transcultural model of nursing which perceives cultural competence as a continuous process in which the healthcare providers seek to effectively operate within the cultural context of the patient. The model emphasizes that a culturally-competent healthcare provider should be equipped with excellent cultural encounters, cultural skills, cultural knowledge and cultural awareness (Kirmayer, 2012). These are necessary components that can motivate the healthcare provider to effectively attend to the diverse needs of the patients. Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competency acknowledges that healthcare services are always delivered in culturally-diverse settings. Meaning, the patients are people drawn from different racial, ethnic, social, cultural, geographical, and economic backgrounds. For the healthcare services to satisfy the needs f the patients, the healthcare providers should strive to be culturally-competent. Meaning, the provider should be flexible, knowledgeable and accommodative of other peoples cultural values (Kirmayer, 2012). Cultural awareness is good in a healthcare setting because it encourages consciousness of the existing diversities. A culturally-aware provider is capable of carrying out a self-evaluation to understanding everyones needs before making the necessary steps to satisfy them however diverse it might be. Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competency is a good model whose application can greatly transform healthcare. First and foremost, the model can be used in encouraging the healthcare to be aware of the cultural diversities and the challenges that exist. As a matter of fact, many people have not fully-embraced diversity. There exist certain biases and prejudice that have been interfering with the quality of services provided to the patients. However, with the application of this model, the healthcare providers can have a deeper understanding of the diversities and documented challenges that need to be addressed (Almutairi, McCarthy Gardner, 2014). An informed healthcare provider can take the necessary steps to fight cases of racism, tribalism or cultural discriminations that might hinder effective delivery of healthcare services. It is for this reason that the model considers cultural awareness as a core component of culturally-competent healthcare delivery. The other benefit of Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competency is that it can impart the healthcare providers with adequate knowledge to understand how to deal with clients from different cultural backgrounds. The model emphasizes the need for cultural competence. To achieve that, healthcare professionals should always strive to be tolerant. This can make the provider to acknowledge, accept and appreciate other peoples cultural values especially when attending to them (Purnell, 2016). The accommodation of the clients cultural values can be an invaluable asset in healthcare delivery. Once the services are tailored to suit the cultural diversities of the patient, it can be easily accepted and supported because it is responsive to the needs. Such an approach has been successfully applied in encouraging the superstitious minority indigenous communities to embrace modern healthcare in different parts of the globe such as Australia (Brown, et al., 2015). Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competency can also be applied to improve the quality of healthcare services rendered to the public. Since the model encourages the healthcare providers to directly engage patients from other cultural backgrounds and cohesively operate with fewer constraints. A culturally-skilled healthcare provider cannot find it challenging to engage the patients in a face-to-face interaction whenever necessary. Direct patient-healthcare provider interaction is good because it not only gives the provider an opportunity to understand the patient, but also enables them to look for better ways to modify the existing beliefs in order to make them much better and responsive to the changing trends (Renzaho, et al., 2013). The modification of cultural values should be encouraged because it can help in eliminating obsolete traditions and replacing them with more responsive ones. Based on these facts, it is no doubt that Campinha-Bacote Model of Cultural Competency will still be used in the healthcare sector many years to come. The model has a future because it will continue imparting culturally-competent knowledge to the healthcare providers. Its continued application will help in equipping the healthcare providers with knowledge to understand cultural diversities, embrace diverse groups and accommodate them whenever providing healthcare services (Truong, Paradies Priest, 2014). By cordially-relating with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, the healthcare provider cannot find it difficult to deliver satisfactory services as well as appeal to the clients to consider making the necessary changes aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services provided. Multicultural approach is the best strategy to apply by the healthcare providers because of the plural nature of the society. However, this cannot be achieved unless the healthcare providers are cul turally-competent and equipped with appropriate cultural awareness, encounter, skills, and knowledge. References Almutairi, A.F., McCarthy, A. Gardner, G.E. (2014). 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