Diversity: Cultural Competence

Course overview

Massage therapists are increasingly working in various medical settings ¿ physician¿s offices, long term care facilities, hospitals - and the population of the United States continues to become more ethnically diverse. As a result, it is important that as health care providers working as part of a multi-disciplinary team we become more familiar with the cultural differences of our clients to become more sensitive to their perspective so that we may provide the best care. Through this course you will: - define important concepts including race, ethnicity, culture, health literacy and health disparities.</li> - review the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care. - determine what cultural competence means, how one becomes culturally competent, and distinguish between cultural sensitivity and cultural competence. - differentiate between stereotypes and generalizations. - review how culture and socioeconomic status affect quality of health care. - discover strategies for establishing a more culturally sensitive environment. - learn differences in cultural behavior. - examine ways to avoid pitfalls when working with various clients from diverse cultures.