Physicians’ Experience with Cultural Competence in Clinical Practice at a Mid-Atlantic Teaching Hospital and Practice Sites
Open Access DepositedAbstract of the Dissertation Physicians’ Experience with Cultural Competence in Clinical Practice at a Mid-Atlantic Teaching Hospital and Practice Sites Culturally competent healthcare providers improve healthcare delivery and outcomes for ethnically and racially diverse patients (Nair & Adetayo, 2019). Cultural competency also improves collaboration between individuals from different cultures and healthcare experiences for diverse patients (Nair & Adetayo, 2019). This study explored how physicians learn and practice cultural competence when serving ethnically and racially diverse patients and how their experiences inform their clinical practice. This study aimed to answer two research questions:RQ1: How do physicians describe their experiences of learning and practicing cultural competence when serving ethnically and racially diverse patients? RQ2: How do physicians make meaning of these experiences to inform their clinical practice? One model and one theory constructed the conceptual framework for this study. Campinha-Bacote’s (1998) model is about “the process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare,” and Kolb’s (2021) four-phase experiential learning theory is about learning informally through encounters with others. The two worked together synergistically and were considered to be the best fit for the study. Campinha-Bacote’s model was chosen because of its use in healthcare delivery. Kolb’s experiential learning theory was selected to inform how physicians learn cultural competence informally and experientially from mentors, peers, and patients. This basic qualitative study utilized narrative inquiry. This study had eight participants who were purposively selected. Data were collected through 90-minute interviews guided by Seidman (2013). This study used first- and second-cycle coding with a priori, descriptive, and in vivo codes. This dissertation detailed the lived experience of physicians through their narratives of practicing medicine in clinical encounters with marginalized patient populations. These physicians are at the forefront of healthcare, and in practice cultural competence plays an integral part in better healthcare outcomes. Findings revealed physicians’ opinions on cultural competence terminology, healthcare diversity, and the need for more minority physicians in healthcare. Additionally, the study surfaced the need for preparedness for global pandemics and natural disasters. Finally, the physicians discussed their self-awareness of cultural competence and their career choice to deliver healthcare to ethnically and racially diverse patients. Keywords: Physicians, Cultural Competence, Meaning Making, Ethnic/Racial Patients
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