Improving cultural competency in advanced practice providers at an academic medical center

Abstract

Racial health disparities and healthcare provider bias are concerning problems. Cultural competency training (CCT) is effective to address this bias, resulting in improved patient outcomes. This project aimed to increase cultural competency among advanced practice providers (APPs) who completed CCT. The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services model and its primary constructs of cultural awareness, skill, knowledge, encounters, and desire guided this work, along with other evidence. Eighteen APPs completed the training and tests, demonstrating statistically significant score increases in overall cultural competency (p < .001), cultural awareness (p = .030), cultural skill (p = .017), cultural knowledge (p = .002), and cultural encounter (p < .001). An increased cultural desire was not statistically significant (p = .120). Evidence reviewed demonstrates how this work can guide future quality improvement efforts to implement evidence-based CCT professional development for all healthcare workers.