Improving Cultural Competency: Educating Healthcare Providers Serving an American Indian/Alaskan Native Population

Abstract

Purpose: To increase the knowledge, awareness, and ability to provide culturally competentcare, with a focus on culture and beliefs, resources in the community, and patient behaviors among healthcare providers serving an ethnically diverse population. Background: Majority of the healthcare providers serving American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN) communities are non-AIAN, do not inherently possess the knowledge and understanding of the community and cultures, and often do not receive culturally competent education or training on the community they serve. This is concerning and can have a negative impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Methods: An introductory Pascua Yaqui Tribe cultural competence educational session (PCCES) was created for current and new providers at an outpatient primary clinic located on the reservation. Voluntary pre- and post-survey questionnaires were used to assess participants' knowledge and likelihood of providing culturally competent care. Results: The educational training had a positive impact on providers caring for AIAN in an outpatient primary care setting. The survey results of the QI project support that the introductory PCCES increased participants' cultural competency knowledge, benefited their healthcare practices, and increased their confidence to provide culturally competent care.