Main description:

This resource supports evidence-informed approaches to improving the cultural competence of health service delivery. By reviewing the evidence from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US, it provides readers with a clear and systematic overview of the interventions and indicators applied to enable health system agencies and professionals to work effectively in various cross-cultural health care situations. The book highlights the importance of cultural competence and describes the current situation in the studied countries; identifies effective approaches and strategies for improving the situation; reviews the indicators for measuring progress; assesses the health outcomes associated with cultural competence; summarizes the quality of the evidence; and presents an evidence-informed conceptual framework for cultural competence in health. Cultural competence is critical to reducing health disparities and has become a popular concept in these countries for improving access to high-quality, respectful and responsive health care. This book provides policy makers, health practitioners, researchers and students with a much needed summary of what works to improve health systems, services and practice.

Contents:

1. Introduction.- 2. The Drivers of Cultural Competence.- Chapter3. Methods.- 4. Health Workforce Development Interventions to Improve Cultural Competence.- 5. Cultural Competence Education and Training for Health and Medical Students.- 6. Programs and Services to Improve Cultural Competence in Healthcare.- 7. Health Organisation and System Cultural Competence Interventions.- 8. Cultural competence strengths, weaknesses and future directions.- 9. Multilevel Cultural Competence Intervention Implementation and Evaluation Framework.