Cultural Competence and Care in Communities

 





  (We Hear You, 2014)

 

 

    “Cultural competence is not static, and our level of cultural competence changes in response to new situations, experiences and relationships. The three elements of cultural competence are: attitudes, skills, knowledge.”(We Hear You, 2014)  I wanted to lead with this model framework because it speaks to me about my own involvement, my accountability, my knowledge and questions me about who I am really helping.  I can reflect upon a lack of experience, knowledge and not really knowing how to move forward and be more open about the experience of working with little cultural competence.

  Cultural competency is “a key strategy for reducing inequalities in healthcare access and improving the quality and effectiveness of care”. (Bainbrdge, McCalman, Clifford & Tsey, 2015)  A group of professionals can be culturally competent and work very effectively within a cross cultural environment that focuses on behaviours, attitudes and policies. (Bainbridge et al, 2015)  I agree with Bainbridge et al, and feel that through onsite education processes, such as information sessions facilitated by persons of a specific culture is strengthens the learning. 

  I have much admiration for Roselie and her husband who do such an emotionally tough job, without having any expectation this would be their families path.  It would be quite easy to embark on a community job without knowing what to expect, the culture of this work and the adjustment would be steep. 
 

  To be a new member of a community I would need to be culturally competent and also understand that as a newcomer there can be a period of adjustment until acceptance is acknowledged.  Evaluating the prospect of nursing within a specific community the experience would be invaluable.  To be prepared with knowledge of culturally specific information, promoting positivity, being willing and able to learn specific needs of the person’s culture and allaying fears would help to make the transition from a culturally inept outsider to an effective patient advocate who promotes cultural understanding within her community.


 

(Google.com.au, 2016)

 



Bainbrdge, R., McCalman, J., Clifford, A., & Tsey, K. (2015). Cultural competency in the        delivery of health services for Indigenous people. Issues paper no.13. (pp. 2-6).

     Canberra, Australia: Closing the Gap Clearinghouse. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

 

Google.com.au,. (2016). cultural competence communities - Google Search. Retrieved 18 January 2016, from https://www.google.com.au/search?q=cultural+competence+communities.

 

 

We Hear You,. (2014). What does it mean to be culturally competent?. Retrieved 17 January 2016, from http://wehearyou.acecqa.gov.au/2014/07/10/what-does-it-mean-to-be-culturally-competent/