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Training could improve care for diverse population living with auto-immune rheumatologic conditions
A health care team has endorsed a new cultural competency training program which could help clinicians better connect with diverse population living with an auto-immune rheumatologic conditions.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham identified communication gaps between health care providers and patients from different cultural backgrounds—creating the program to address these issues which are preventing patients receiving quality care.
Led by Dr. Kanta Kumar from the University 's Institute of Clinical Sciences, the research team developed the 90-minute training program, which will now be promoted by the British Society for Rheumatology.
The program was developed by using a "before and after" design, with the research team testing the training materials by offering them to 15 clinicians across rheumatology centers in England and collected data relating to 364 patients. The research team recently published its findings in the Rheumatology journal.
Dr. Kumar commented, "Our results showed an overall improvement in implementing cultural concepts during the consultation with a significant boost in ratings from minority ethnic population patients. Further, a longer-term study is needed to assess the training's lasting impact.
"The program has demonstrated potential in enhancing cultural competency, patient enablement, and fostering improved shared decision-making with minority ethnic patients living with auto-immune rheumatic diseases."
The intervention program will be offered to new and early-career rheumatology staff. It is now freely available to members of the British Society for Rheumatology, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, and the American College of Rheumatology.
Dr. Kumar added, "We must emphasize the urgency of reducing health care disparities. The program has the potential to be adopted by professionals in various policy makers and specialties, but additional research is required to extend support to diverse groups like African-Caribbean, Somali, and Chinese populations."
More information: Ashwini Deshmukh et al, Development and testing of a bespoke cultural intervention to support healthcare professionals with patients from a diverse background, Rheumatology (2023). DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kead383
