Where We Stand
Section: Health Care Delivery
Policy: Cultural Competence
Appendix J
Cultural Competence, as defined in the Oregon CCO Contract, refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientation and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. OAR 415-056-0005. Operationally defined, cultural competence is the integration and transformation of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes.
Cultural Competence is a component of true clinical competence.
Cultural Competence is a necessary set of skills for physicians who wish to deliver high quality care to all patients (Betancourt, NEJM 2004, NOOK edition).
Effective health care incorporates the cultural traditions and spiritual concerns of the patient and his/her family (Rundle, Cultural Concepts in Health Care, Kindle edition).
Providers need a culturally sensitive attitude, appropriate cultural knowledge, and flexible enough skills to provide culturally relevant and effective care for the patients of diverse backgrounds (Wen-Shing Tseng and Jon Streltzer, Cultural Competence in Health Care, Kindle Edition, p. 12).
Cultural Competence requires accepting responsibility for one`s own education (Purcell, Culturally Competent Health Care, Kindle edition).
Cultural Competence is not a "condition" that is rapidly achieved. Rather it is an on-going process of growth and development of knowledge (Spector, Cultural Diversity in Health and Disease).
The OMA will work with its members, Other health care providers and their organizations, and other community organizations to continue the study and implementation of cultural competence for individuals and for health care settings/organizations.
For detailed information, see the following guidelines:
Healthy People 2020 Objectives for Health Communication:
www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=18
Healthy People 2020 Objectives for Health Care Access:
www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicId=1
National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS): http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=2&lvlID=15
Office of Minority Health:
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=1&lvlID=3