Keys to Providing Culturally Competent Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed a stark problem of racial health disparities in the US. Black Americans are twice as likely to die from the virus as white Americans and are more likely to have the preexisting conditions that predispose them to infection by the virus. A majority of Black Americans report race-related mistreatment by the healthcare system. Many health professionals, including nurses and nurse coaches, are now grappling with how to overcome the systemic bias that has led to this crisis.

In order to overcome distrust and reduce or eliminate racial health disparities, Janice G Lanham, RN, MS, CNS, FNP, senior lecturer in the School of Nursing at Clemson University, advocates targeting five key elements of culturally competent care:

1. An open attitude. Be ready to receive information with an open mind, and keep in mind that there are alternative viewpoints and information you may not be aware of.
2. Self-awareness. Explore what you may subconsciously be bringing to interpersonal interactions, understanding that unconscious racial bias is a significant factor in systemic inequities.
3. Awareness of others. Recognize that all individuals have a story and be willing to consider this different perspective; a client’s story may not match up with your own.
4. Cultural knowledge. Become familiar with different cultural characteristics such as values, beliefs, and traditions. In addition to implementing more culturally competent coursework in nursing programs and nurse coach training, experiential learning is critical for practicing in diverse settings.
5. Cultural skills. Cultural knowledge helps develop cultural skills that can transform a nursing or nurse coaching practice into an equitable environment. These skills can include asking more informed questions, listening more deeply, and building trust and respect between practitioner and patient.

Successful implementation of these five elements, Ms. Lanham says, “opens the door to the development of cultural competence and respectfully meets all clients’ needs, regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds.”