Professional Documents
Culture Documents
its not new !! good health policy & services meet consumers needs
Benefits
Improves equity & access for all groups Good business practice More effective service for health consumers and carers Better use of health resources
Whos responsible?
Governments all levels Policy decision-makers
all agencies / all levels of government (not just health!)
Managers
CEOs, finance, operational managers of health & related
services
Professions professional bodies and their members Workers & practitioners in health & related organisations Individuals Everyone can learn and contribute
NHMRC Guide Cultural competency in health: a guide for policy, partnerships and participation
National focus Complements existing work Generic approach
Applies to wide range of groups not specialised
Focus on healthier living & environments, obesity & overweight Recognises gaps, identifies next steps Based on research, consultation & feedback Prepared by experts /researchers in public health
Aim of Guide
Support development of health care services that meet needs of culturally & linguistically diverse communities Target audience High level policy & decision-makers Impact on-the-ground health services Anyone interested in health & related policy
Outcomes Stimulate broader discussion Ownership of issues Begin nationally supported, sustained change Provide ideas for next steps
4.
Principle 1
Engaging consumers & communities and sustaining reciprocal relationships
Promotion of healthier living and environments is a reciprocal relationship CALD background communities and health services engage, learn & exchange at all stages of health care research, development and delivery
Principle 2
Leadership and accountability for sustained change Begins at highest levels of systems, organisations and professions Continues to individual development and practice
Principle 3
Building on strengths know the community, know what works Population health approach Use data, information on diverse communities Acknowledge CALD experience successful practice Understand risk factors & protective behaviours
Principle 4
A shared responsibility creating partnerships and sustainability Partnerships between health and human services, education and research sectors Find systematic and long-term approaches
The Model
Four dimensions for action
Action at Professional Level Makes cultural competency important part of education & professional development Professions develop cultural competence standards Guidance provided for working lives of individuals
Develop competencies
Competency = knowledge, conviction, capacity for action Systems, organisations, professional groups & individuals can develop cultural competencies in specific areas
Specific competencies
Policy / Evaluation
e.g. a policy framework that directs & supports cultural competency across health system
Consumer participation
e.g. reps of diverse communities are included at all stages of service development & delivery
Specific competencies
Management
e.g. performance agreements hold managers accountable
Education/skills
e.g. professions consider cultural / linguistic diversity in communication & health practice
Self-reflection
e.g. individuals understand potential impact of cultural & linguistic diversity on clients, & adapt practice to meet cross-cultural requirements
Practical approaches
Case study scenarios Next steps Resources, contacts & more info
Research shows poor nutrition and low fitness affect some CALD background groups more than others
How would cultural competency principles guide a media campaign to promote healthy eating and improve fitness?
Partnerships
work with relevant community leaders, share knowledge
Community engagement
get communities involved from planning onward use consumer advisory group, focus groups
Methodology
select media outlets used by the CALD background group/s you want to reach
Evaluate
before & after data to assess impact
A Muslim community leader notices low physical activity / reduced fitness among Muslim women in her local area
What culturally competent strategies would help find a solution?
Reciprocity
Culturally appropriate community consultation, informal discussion, discuss barriers within community & with local authorities
Sustainability
Identify culturally appropriate solutions that have ongoing support, e.g. women-only exercise classes, appropriate venues Think about wider factors e.g. child care, transport etc.
Share success
Evaluate & document outcomes, share learning with other cultural groups
Next Steps
Suggestions for projects & action at all levels Individual
Organisational
Professional
Systemic
Context-specific competencies for your organisation, its community & health workers
Participate in partnership forums with govts / other agencies on applying the model Reflect principles of cultural competency in ethical & other professional conduct codes
Develop policies and context-specific competencies for specific health professional group Promote information to members