Racial and ethnic disparities are disturbing facets of the American healthcare system that document the reality of unequal treatment (Betancourt et al. 2003). To better understand where one is in the process of becoming more culturally competent, it is convenient to think of the possible ways of responding to cultural differences. One of the ways of responding to cultural competence is through a continuum process (Slaymaker & Fisher, 2015). I see many organizations in public health sector emphasizing the need to adopt and understand cultural differences. As a process, managing diversity enables public healthcare leaders to discover new ways to develop the potential of all employees. At the same time, health leaders can improve performance and production in the services they provide. At the heart of managing diversity lies the reform of internal systems, structures, and processes (Subramaniam, 2015). Managing diversity also requires the transformation of the organization’s culture. Initiatives that are useful for setting a positive and future course of action include conducting a cultural audit, establishing a cultural diversity task force, and putting in place a diversity “champion” who is accountable directly to the chief executive officer (Rajaram & Bockrath, 2014). There was a strong sense that the field of cultural competence in health care is emerging in public and private health organizations, and that organizational, systemic, and clinical facets are central to its advancement (Subramaniam, 2015).
Betancourt J.R. et al. (2003). Defining cultural competence: a practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health and health care. Public Health Reports. 118(2), 302-306
SUBRAMANIAM, M. (2015). CULTURAL Competence. TD: Talent Development, 69(9), 60-64.
Slaymaker, R. R., & Fisher, K. K. (2015). Striving for Cultural Competence While Preparing Millennials as Emerging Professionals. Journal Of Social Work Values & Ethics, 12(2), 49-62.
Rajaram, S. S., & Bockrath, S. (2014). Cultural Competence: New Conceptual Insights into its Limits and Potential for Addressing Health Disparities. Journal Of Health Disparities Research & Practice, 7(5), 82-89.
