Providing cultural competency training to primary care teams can improve the quality of care for patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, according to a new study by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. The study involved nearly 1,500 primary care physicians, nurses and medical assistants at 25 practices in eastern Massachusetts. Half the practices received training to help them better understand and address cultural differences that may impact patient care.
“There are significant disparities in health outcomes among racial and ethnic groups in the United States,” said lead author Dr. Elyse Park, a clinical psychologist at MGH. “Improving cultural competency among healthcare providers is one important strategy to help close those gaps.”
The training covered topics such as the impact of racism on health, cultural differences in communication styles, and strategies for providing culturally sensitive care. Practices that received the training saw improvements in several measures, including patient satisfaction and trust in their providers.
Hispanics, Blacks and Asians remain underrepresented in the medical profession compared to their share of the U.S. population. The researchers say increasing diversity among healthcare workers is also critical for improving care for minority patients.
See “Helping Primary Care Teams Provide Culturally Appropriate Care for Diverse Patients” (May 24, 2024)
