Promote cultural competency

Cultural differences between patients, staff, and physicians pose barriers to true patient involvement. Such differences can occur in thoughts, communications, customs, beliefs, and values. Cultural competence, therefore, is integrating the knowledge of cultural differences into your standards, policies, and practices to increase the quality of services and thereby improve patient outcomes. It promotes inclusiveness, respect, and value with regard to cultural differences.

Examining and improving cultural competence can have a positive impact on prevention, identification, and treatment of your patients. Failing to do so can affect what information you are able to gather for a patient history and about patient symptoms, which you use to diagnose illness and provide quality treatment. Handle these issues from an organizational standpoint, including incorporating them into your policies and procedures.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.