Professional Education and Training
Due to the convergence of the state's cultural diversity and an improved understanding of how culture influences health beliefs, behaviors, care-seeking practices and responses to diagnoses and treatment, cultural competence has become a critical element in the delivery of quality health care. Several accrediting bodies and managed care organizations are beginning to use cultural competence as an indicator of access and quality as a result of disease-specific research suggesting that culturally tailored approaches may result in improved health outcomes.
The Endowment's Professional Education and Training work seeks to support policy and advocacy efforts to improve collection of important socio-cultural health information in health care settings; research on specific populations to document health issues and effective interventions; and development, evaluation and diffusion of cultural competence trainings and education programs.
Provider education and practice work includes: validation and broad distribution of previously developed curricula and training; institutionalization of cultural competence at academic and community-based research and education institutions; and cultural competence trainings. Consumer engagement efforts seek to increase consumer awareness about cultural competence and how it may help to improve communication and care.
