Cultural competence in mental health care: a review of model evaluations.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Cultural competency is now a core requirement for mental health professionals working with culturally diverse patient groups. Cultural competency training may improve the quality of mental health care for ethnic groups.

METHODS:
A systematic review that included evaluated models of professional education or service delivery.

RESULTS:
Of 109 potential papers, only 9 included an evaluation of the model to improve the cultural competency practice and service delivery. All 9 studies were located in North America. Cultural competency included modification of clinical practice and organizational performance. Few studies published their teaching and learning methods. Only three studies used quantitative outcomes. One of these showed a change in attitudes and skills of staff following training. The cultural consultation model showed evidence of significant satisfaction by clinicians using the service. No studies investigated service user experiences and outcomes.

CONCLUSION:
There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of cultural competency training and service delivery. Further work is required to evaluate improvement in service users' experiences and outcomes.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Bhui, Kamaldeep (K); Warfa, Nasir (N); Edonya, Patricia (P); McKenzie, Kwame (K); Bhugra, Dinesh (D);

Affiliation: Centre for Psychiatry, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Old Anatomy Building, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK. k.s.bhui(-atsign-)qmul.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: BMC health services research (BMC Health Serv Res), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 7 (issue ) : pp 15

Dates: Created 2007/02/19; Completed 2007/03/08; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 17266765, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Clinical Competence
Cultural Diversity
Ethnopsychology - education
Humans
Mental Health Services - organization & administration; standards

Mental Health Services - organization & administration; standards
Models, Educational
Models, Organizational
Patient Satisfaction
Program Evaluation

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.