are finding that developing and implementing cultural competence strategies are good business practices to increase providers’ and patients’ interest and participation in their health plans among racial and ethnic minority populations. Cultural competence of the provider impacts patient satisfaction. When surveys are conducted to assess patient satisfaction following medical visits and hospital stays, they often do not assess whether patients have experienced discrimination during their treatment. This is important because this is often a common complaint of individuals from marginalized populations. Thus, these surveys fail to ask diverse groups of patients whether they have received culturally competent care. Kevin Nguyen, a health services researcher at Brown University School of Public Health, parsed data collected from the government-mandated national surveys in new ways and found that, underneath the surface, they spoke to racial and ethnic inequities in care. Nguyen found that Black, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic or Latinx/Latine beneficiaries reported worse experiences across the four measures. Nguyen said that the surveys commonly used by hospitals (called Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, or CAHPS) could be far more helpful if they were able to go one layer deeper, for example, asking why it was more challenging to get timely care, or why they do not have a personal doctor (Bichelle, 2022). Furthermore, Nguyen studied whether patients in one Medicaid managed-care plan from ethnic minority groups received the same care as their White peers. He examined four areas: access to needed care, a personal doctor, timely access to a checkup or routine care, and specialty care (Bichelle, 2022). Specific marginalized groups also experience dissatisfaction with healthcare services. Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people report greater dissatisfaction with counseling and psychotherapy services than their heterosexual counterparts (Bishop, Crisp, & Scholz, 2022). Greater dissatisfaction with counseling services may result from experiences of microaggressions resulting from a lack of service provider cultural competence. Microaggressions are subtle statements and behaviors that unconsciously communicate denigrating messages to people of color or marginalized groups. Data shows that LGB participants perceived counselors and psychologists as more culturally competent if they demonstrated: inclusive intention, awareness of heteronormativity, knowledge about issues impacting LGB people, and openness to diversity (Bishop, Crisp, & Scholz, Diversity influences when and how patients seek care. How individuals seek care varies from culture to culture. Most mental health practitioners communicate with potential clients using text, email, websites, and social media. Some populations may be disadvantaged if they are not familiar with the technology. For instance, older adults may be less likely to use the internet, search, and use social media. Not all individuals in this country own cellular phones, or if they do have a cell phone, it may not be a smartphone. Individuals from other countries or older adults might not be proficient at using text messages or sending emails. In other words, they might not have access to the technology needed to contact providers. Factors such as having internet service in your home or owning a computer are possibilities. Thus, seeking help from a provider could take longer. Socioeconomic (SES) status is also a factor that influences how individuals seek mental health care. Both poverty
2022). This finding shows that it is not sufficient to be open to diversity; it also requires that we have some knowledge of issues that impact this population. If you are a counselor working with the LGBTQ population, you should be aware of heteronormativity. Heteronormativity is the belief system that heterosexuality and binary gender roles are the only norms that exist and can be applied to every individual in society. However, how does heteronormativity impact the lives of LBGTQ individuals? LGB participants perceived counselors and psychologists who were younger or LGB to be more culturally competent. Based on the results, recommendations for counselors and psychotherapists include recognizing the importance of creating a safe space and demonstrating affirming care to LGB people. Cultural competence impacts patient outcomes. Cultural competence improves communication, which keeps patients safer. Clear communication allows healthcare providers to collect accurate medical information. It also encourages active dialogues in which patients and providers can ask questions, correct misunderstandings, and build trust. Studies have shown that the absence of culturally competent care can lead to preventable mistakes and adverse events (Tulane University, 2022). Cultural competence improves the patient experience. Healthcare environments that show an awareness of and respect for differences create more satisfying patient experiences. When providers adjust treatments to meet patient needs and preferences, patients notice, and their overall experience improves. If a healthcare provider uses medical jargon unfamiliar to a patient or makes assumptions about them because they use public health insurance, the patient may likely feel frustrated. Conversely, if clinicians show nonjudgmental openness in response to differences, actively listen, and try to verify that patients have understood them, their patients are more likely to feel satisfied with their care. Self-Assessment Question 4 Which of the following is an example of heteronormativity? a. Disproportionate media representation of heterosexual couples. b. Preference for biological pronouns. c. Healthcare discrimination. d. Parental disapproval of LGBTQ+ children. e. All of the above. and inequality have been demonstrated to be toxic to our mental health, resulting in higher levels of mental illness among the poorest, most excluded, and most marginalized people all over the world. Low SES is associated with adverse situations like living in high-crime areas, environmental exposure, and chronic health conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Unfavorable living conditions and chronic poor health often translate into inadequate mental health. Data shows that Americans living in families that earn less than $35,000 a year are four times as likely to report being nervous and five times as likely to report being sad all or most of the time compared to those living in families earning more than $100,000 a year (NCCAA, 2022). Can you consider whether these differences exist regarding mental health symptoms and income levels? Income, or the ability to pay for certain elements, is directly associated with health and mental health outcomes.
Impact of Cultural Beliefs on Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment Culture, Help-seeking, and Access
Page 25
Book Code: PYTX1226
EliteLearning.com/Psychology
Powered by FlippingBook