Opponents of greater emphasis in training for cultural sensitivity and awareness, as an initial step, argue that the solution is overly simplistic and not effective because it places responsibility entirely on the physician. To achieve a more culturally competent health care system in the U.S., the target group, in this case Hispanics must work together with physicians to determine the best course of action to address the lack of cultural competency. Rinderle in her posting, “Why Cultural Sensitivity Training Is Ineffective and Insensitive,” states that focusing on cultural sensitivity trainings “calls out a limiting belief that the solution is that ‘we’ need to be more ‘sensitive’ to ‘them’” (1). While physicians’ intentions might be good
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Critics are quick to discard the viability of training programs in cultural sensitivity and awareness, but the fact of the matter is that this solution is among the most cost-effective and time efficient methods out there. With that being said, it’s nearly impossible for “health care providers to know every detail about every patient…however, that heightened cultural sensitivity and awareness can advance best treatment modalities for all concerned” (Seiber 144). The lack of cultural competency in health care settings seems to stem from physicians that aren’t able to look beyond their ethnocentrisms and acknowledge that the problem exists. In response, physicians can “decrease ethnocentrism by being aware of one’s own cultural values and biases,” which can be best achieved through cultural sensitivity and awareness-training programs within their respective work environments. (Dawn, Fenza, and Hollinger-Smith 7). Physicians that make the effort to learn about the cultural differences between themselves and their patients will help reduce stereotyping and stigmatization within the health care system. In effect, this will help foster closer relationships with Hispanics and their families, and allow physicians to overcome the various obstacles that arise from a lack of cultural competency. The simplicity, time-efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of cultural sensitivity and awareness trainings make its implementation across various types of health care institutions (e.g., public hospitals, private hospitals, community clinics) very feasible with the greatest potential for successful
Critics are quick to discard the viability of training programs in cultural sensitivity and awareness, but the fact of the matter is that this solution is among the most cost-effective and time efficient methods out there. With that being said, it’s nearly impossible for “health care providers to know every detail about every patient…however, that heightened cultural sensitivity and awareness can advance best treatment modalities for all concerned” (Seiber 144). The lack of cultural competency in health care settings seems to stem from physicians that aren’t able to look beyond their ethnocentrisms and acknowledge that the problem exists. In response, physicians can “decrease ethnocentrism by being aware of one’s own cultural values and biases,” which can be best achieved through cultural sensitivity and awareness-training programs within their respective work environments. (Dawn, Fenza, and Hollinger-Smith 7). Physicians that make the effort to learn about the cultural differences between themselves and their patients will help reduce stereotyping and stigmatization within the health care system. In effect, this will help foster closer relationships with Hispanics and their families, and allow physicians to overcome the various obstacles that arise from a lack of cultural competency. The simplicity, time-efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of cultural sensitivity and awareness trainings make its implementation across various types of health care institutions (e.g., public hospitals, private hospitals, community clinics) very feasible with the greatest potential for successful