Acknowledge the importance of culture and language.

Assess cross-cultural relations.

Embrace cultural strengths with people and communities.

Strive to expand cultural knowledge.

Understand cultural and linguistic differences.

The quality of the patient-provider interaction has a profound impact on the ability of a patient to communicate symptoms to his or her provider and to adhere to recommended treatment. Some of the reasons that justify a provider’s need for cultural competency include but are not limited to:

The perception that illness and disease and their causes vary by culture

The diversity of belief systems related to health, healing and wellness are very diverse

The fact that culture influences help-seeking behaviors and attitudes toward health care providers

The fact that individual preferences affect traditional and nontraditional approaches to health care

The fact that patients must overcome their personal biases within health care systems

The fact that health care providers from culturally and linguistically diverse groups are underrepresented in the       current service delivery system

Cultural barriers between the provider and member can impact the patient-provider relationship in many ways, including but not limited to:

The member’s level of comfort with the practitioner and the member’s fear of what might be found upon        examination

The differences in understanding on the part of diverse consumers in the United States health care system

A fear of rejection of personal health beliefs

The member's expectation of the health care provider and the treatment

To be culturally competent, IntegraNet expects providers serving members within their geographic locations to demonstrate the following:

Cultural Awareness

The ability to recognize the cultural factors (norms, values, communication patterns and world views) that shape       personal and professional behavior

The ability to modify one’s own behavioral style to respond to the needs of others, while at the same time        maintaining one’s objectivity and identity

Cultural Knowledge

Culture plays a crucial role in the formation of health or illness beliefs

Culture is generally behind a person’s rejection or acceptance of medical advice and treatment

Different cultures have different attitudes about seeking help

Feelings about disclosure are culturally unique

There are differences in the acceptability and effectiveness of treatment modalities in various cultural and ethnic       groups

Verbal and nonverbal language, speech patterns and communication styles vary by culture and ethnic groups

Resources such as formally trained interpreters should be offered to and used by members with various cultural and       ethnic differences

Cultural Skills

The ability to understand the basic similarities and differences between and among the cultures of the persons       served

The ability to recognize the values and strengths of different cultures

The ability to interpret diverse cultural and nonverbal behavior

The ability to develop perceptions and understanding of other’s needs, values and preferred means of having those       needs met

The ability to identify and integrate the critical cultural elements of a situation to make culturally consistent        inferences and to demonstrate consistency in actions

The ability to recognize the importance of time and the use of group processes to develop and enhance cross-       cultural knowledge and understanding

The ability to withhold judgment, action or speech in the absence of information about a person’s culture

The ability to listen with respect

The ability to formulate culturally competent treatment plans The ability to use culturally appropriate community       resources

The ability to know when and how to use interpreters and to understand the limitations of using interpreters

The ability to treat each person uniquely

The ability to recognize racial and ethnic differences and know when to respond to culturally based cues

The ability to seek out information

The ability to use agency resources

The capacity to respond flexibly to a range of possible solutions

The acceptance of ethnic differences among people and the understanding of how these differences affect the       treatment process

The willingness to work with clients of various ethnic minority groups