If a doctor wants to have a successful relationship with their patients, it is imperative that they understand the importance of cultural competence in health care at every step of inpatient and outpatient treatment. Osteopathic medicine, if applied correctly with the help of cultural competence, can create an open and understanding relationship between patient and doctor which leads to patients receiving the treatment they need.
As a treatment method that looks at the human body as a unit, one where every part is interconnected, respecting and acknowledging a patient and their issues by applying cultural competence to health care is the first step in diagnosis and treatment in osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine is a versatile profession that involves providing comprehensive care, devising treatment plans, and attending to patients of all ages and backgrounds. Culturally competent care allows a DO (doctor of osteopathy) to walk into any inpatient room fully prepared. The best osteopathic physicians excel not only in their technical skills but also in their expertise in cultural considerations.
What is culturally competent care?
Cultural competence in osteopathic medicine refers to the ability of doctors to deliver optimal medical care to patients while demonstrating cultural awareness of their beliefs, ethnicity, and values. It involves understanding the diverse cultural backgrounds of patients and treating them accordingly, and above all, giving them the respect they deserve.
As a doctor of osteopathic medicine, working with your patients starts by establishing stronger connections to address their needs more effectively. Having a doctor on their team who speaks their language or understands their unique background can help onboard the patient treatment process. Not only may this help a patient open up. It can help contribute to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.
What does cultural competence in health care look like?
Acknowledging the importance of cultural competence in health care empowers osteopathic physicians to understand, communicate, and interact effectively with individuals from diverse cultures. Doctors of osteopathic medicine who respect diversity and are culturally competent:
- Understand the inherent power dynamics between physicians and patients.
- Acquire knowledge about various cultural practices and perspectives worldwide and hold a willingness to be patient with what you consider unfamiliar.
- Develop communication skills that promote interaction and understanding across cultures.
- Embrace cultural differences and diverse backgrounds.
As a physician, it is crucial to respect and appreciate the diverse cultures you encounter while treating patients. Doing so greatly influences your capability and the quality of your work.
Components of cultural competence in osteopathic medicine
Culturally competency skills in osteopathic medicine can be developed by focusing on the five fundamental elements:
Cultural awareness: Examining oneself, shedding preconceived notions and prejudices about foreign cultures, and cultivating the right attitude to provide optimal health care services to all patients and clients.
Cultural knowledge: Seeking information about patients’ cultures and beliefs to better understand and engage with them.
Cultural skills: The ability to gather relevant data and process it to facilitate meaningful cross-cultural interactions with patients.
Cultural encounter: Encouraging osteopathic physicians to step out of their familiar environments and engage with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. This interaction enhances competence and understanding.
Cultural desire: Cultivating a strong motivation to learn more about other cultures. It involves being open to new people, accepting and understanding cultures different from one’s own, and being willing to learn and grow.
Importance of cultural considerations in osteopathic medical care
Cultural competence is crucial as it enables osteopathic physicians to provide the best possible care to every patient, resulting in high patient satisfaction and improved outcomes. Developing cross-cultural competence skills allows you to engage more deeply with others, especially patients from different backgrounds than your own. Cultural competence is crucial for fixing public health bias in the United States, which has a deep history of improperly and incompetently treating minorities, who on average receive lower-quality health care than their white counterparts.
Health care workers can strengthen their cultural competence by pursuing continuing education, cross-cultural interactions, or specific assessments. These efforts help to keep their minds open and free of judgment and preconceived notions about certain cultures and backgrounds.
Changing public health for the better starts with an education that is humanistic and innovative. Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine’s mission is to train a new generation of osteopathic physicians who are efficient and skilled, but never lose a sense of empathy when treating their patients. If you want to be part of a culture of care, learn more about osteopathic medicine at Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine and how you can become equipped with the knowledge and practice to provide culturally competent care to patients.