HSCI715 Syllabus Cultural Competency in Health Sciences

Course Overview Cultural competency in health sciences is essential in today’s diverse and globalized society. This course, HSCI715, is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to effectively serve culturally diverse populations in healthcare settings. Throughout this course, students will explore the various dimensions of cultural competence, including communication, trust, and the impact of social determinants on health outcomes. The course will emphasize the importance of cultural humility, the ability to recognize and address biases, and the strategies to provide equitable care to all patients, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background.

Learning Objectives By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the significance of cultural competence in healthcare delivery and its impact on patient outcomes.
2. Analyze the influence of cultural beliefs, values, and practices on health and illness.
3. Develop strategies to enhance communication and trust with culturally diverse patients.
4. Evaluate the role of social determinants in health disparities and their impact on access to care.
5. Demonstrate the ability to apply cultural competence principles in clinical practice and healthcare management.

Assignments and Evaluation Students will be assessed through a combination of quizzes, discussion threads, written assignments, and a final cultural paper. Each component is designed to encourage critical thinking and the application of course concepts to real-world healthcare scenarios. Participation in discussions is crucial, as it allows students to share insights and learn from diverse perspectives.

Course Schedule The course is structured into weekly modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of cultural competence. The modules will cover topics such as the foundations of cultural competence, the role of communication and trust in healthcare, and the impact of social determinants on health. Students are expected to complete readings, participate in discussions, and submit assignments according to the schedule provided.

Conclusion This course provides a comprehensive exploration of cultural competency in health sciences, preparing students to address the challenges of serving diverse populations in healthcare settings. By fostering an understanding of cultural differences and promoting the values of equality and respect, students will be better equipped to contribute to a more equitable healthcare system.

HSCI715- Assignments Course Requirements Checklist

Course Requirements Checklist Overview The Course Requirements Checklist is an essential tool for ensuring that students are fully aware of the expectations and commitments associated with HSCI715. By completing this checklist, students acknowledge their understanding of the course syllabus, academic integrity standards, and the broader mission of the university.

Understanding Course Commitment By completing this checklist or any other assignment in Canvas, students confirm their enrollment in the course, constituting attendance. It is important to understand that once this activity is completed, students will no longer be able to drop the course. Should any issues arise that prevent continued attendance, students must contact Academic Advising to initiate a withdrawal from the course.

Student Expectations and Academic Integrity Students are encouraged to thoroughly review the “Student Expectations” to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities. This includes a commitment to uphold academic integrity by adhering to the principles outlined in the university’s integrity guidelines. Violations of these standards can result in significant academic consequences, and students are encouraged to reach out to the course instructor if they have any questions.

Connecting Education with Broader Goals This course is designed to align with the broader mission of the university, which emphasizes the development of Christ-centered individuals who can impact the world positively. The curriculum is structured to help students view their vocations as callings to glorify God and fulfill the Great Commission. By understanding these connections, students can better appreciate the importance of their educational journey.

Conclusion The Course Requirements Checklist is a critical first step in ensuring that students are fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities presented in HSCI715. By completing this checklist, students demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence and their understanding of the course’s expectations.

HSCI715- Cultural Paper Topic Selection Assignment

Topic Selection for Cultural Paper Topic: The Significance of Cultural Competence in Access to Care among African Americans in the United States Population: African Americans

Personal Reflection on the Population The choice to focus on African Americans for this project stems from a deep belief in the importance of equality in society. African Americans have historically faced significant challenges in accessing healthcare, a trend that continues despite legal protections like Medicaid and Medicare. These disparities are rooted in the historical injustices and systemic racism that have affected this community for generations.

Research by Dickman et al. (2022) highlights the ongoing inequalities in healthcare access between African Americans and white populations, with African Americans continuing to experience higher rates of chronic diseases and lower life expectancy. This project seeks to explore the role of cultural competence in addressing these disparities, with the goal of identifying strategies that healthcare professionals can use to improve care access for African Americans.

Conclusion Understanding the significance of cultural competence is crucial for addressing healthcare disparities among African Americans. This project will explore the historical and socio-economic factors that contribute to these disparities and examine how cultural competence can be leveraged to promote equality in healthcare.

HSCI715- Cultural Paper Introduction and Outline Assignment

Introduction In the United States, cultural competence is a foundational concept in healthcare, especially given the country’s diverse population. Access to healthcare is a fundamental right, yet disparities persist across different demographic groups, influenced by factors such as ethnicity, financial capacity, social classification, and cultural beliefs. These disparities are particularly pronounced among African Americans, who, due to historical and socio-economic factors, often experience unequal access to healthcare. This paper will examine the significance of cultural competence in enhancing care access among African Americans, highlighting its importance in promoting equality and addressing the systemic barriers that this group faces.

Outline

1. Introduction
   • Importance of cultural competence in healthcare.
   • Overview of disparities in healthcare access among African Americans.
2. Historical and Socio-Economic Factors
   • Impact of historical injustices and discrimination on healthcare access.
   • The role of socio-economic status in healthcare disparities.
3. Communication and Trust
   • Importance of communication and trust in healthcare relationships.
   • Challenges faced by African Americans in building trust with healthcare providers.
4. Health Beliefs and Practices
   • Cultural and religious influences on health beliefs among African Americans.
   • The role of cultural competence in understanding and respecting these beliefs.
5. Conclusion
   • Summary of the importance of cultural competence in promoting healthcare equality.
   • Recommendations for healthcare providers to improve care access for African Americans.

Conclusion This outline provides a framework for exploring the critical role of cultural competence in healthcare. By examining the historical, socio-economic, and cultural factors that influence healthcare access for African Americans, this paper aims to identify strategies that can help bridge the gap in care and promote equality.

HSCI715- Cultural Paper References Assignment

References for Cultural Paper

Key References:

1. Fuller-Rowell, T. E., Curtis, D. S., & Duke, A. M. (2018). Disparities in health between black and white Americans: Current knowledge and directions for future research. The Oxford Handbook of Integrative Health Science, 456-478. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190676384.013.33
2. Garg, A., Homer, C. J., & Dworkin, P. H. (2022). Addressing social determinants of health: Challenges and opportunities in a value-based model. Pediatric Collections: Social Determinants of Health (Part 3: Promoting Health Equity), 143(4), 43-45. https://doi.org/10.1542/9781610026390-part03-addressing_social
3. Greene-Moton, E., & Minkler, M. (2022). Corrigendum to “Cultural competence or cultural humility? Moving beyond the debate”. Health Promotion Practice, 23(4), 721-721. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221079397
4. Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & Mösko, M. (2019). Culturally competent healthcare – A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision. PLOS ONE, 14(7), e0219971. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219971
5. Henry Akintobi, T., Jacobs, T., Sabbs, D., Holden, K., Braithwaite, R., Johnson, L. N., Dawes, D., & Hoffman, L. (2020). Community engagement of African Americans in the era of COVID-19: Considerations, challenges, implications, and recommendations for public health. Preventing Chronic Disease, 17, e200255. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.200255

Conclusion These references provide a solid foundation for the cultural paper, offering insights into the disparities in healthcare access among African Americans and the role of cultural competence in addressing these challenges. By drawing on these sources, the paper will contribute to a deeper understanding of how healthcare providers can improve care for this population.

HSCI715- Cultural Paper Final Submission Assignment

Final Submission: The Significance of Cultural Competence to Access to Care among African Americans in the United States

Introduction Cultural competence in healthcare is a critical factor in ensuring equitable access to care, particularly for minority groups such as African Americans. Despite federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or other factors, disparities in healthcare access and quality persist. This paper examines the historical, socio-economic, and cultural factors that contribute to these disparities and explores how cultural

Historical and Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Access to Care Historical injustices, such as slavery, segregation, and systemic racism, have left a lasting impact on African Americans' access to healthcare. These injustices have created socio-economic conditions that continue to hinder access to quality healthcare. African Americans are more likely to live in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with limited access to healthcare facilities, healthy food, and other resources essential for maintaining good health. These factors contribute to higher rates of chronic diseases and lower life expectancy among African Americans compared to other racial groups.

Impact of Historical Injustices on Healthcare Access The history of racial discrimination in the United States has led to deeply ingrained disparities in healthcare access. Policies such as Jim Crow laws and redlining have segregated African Americans into neighborhoods with fewer healthcare resources, compounding the effects of poverty and limited employment opportunities. These historical injustices have not only affected access to care but have also fostered a mistrust of the healthcare system among African Americans. This mistrust is a significant barrier to seeking timely medical care, further exacerbating health disparities.

Socio-Economic Barriers to Healthcare Access Economic factors play a crucial role in healthcare access. African Americans, on average, have lower income levels and higher unemployment rates than their white counterparts. This economic disparity limits their ability to afford healthcare, even with the expansion of programs like Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Additionally, African Americans are less likely to have employer-sponsored health insurance, making them more dependent on public health programs that may not fully meet their needs.

Communication and Trust in Healthcare Relationships Effective communication and trust between healthcare providers and patients are essential for delivering high-quality care. For African Americans, building trust with healthcare providers is often challenging due to a long history of medical mistreatment and systemic racism. This mistrust can lead to reluctance in seeking care, non-compliance with medical advice, and overall poorer health outcomes.

Language Barriers and Cultural Differences Language barriers further complicate communication and trust-building efforts. While most African Americans speak English, there are still significant cultural differences that can create misunderstandings between patients and providers. For example, healthcare providers may not fully understand the cultural significance of certain health beliefs and practices within the African American community. This lack of cultural competence can lead to misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatment plans, and dissatisfaction with care.

Health Beliefs and Practices Among African Americans African Americans hold unique health beliefs and practices that are influenced by their cultural and religious backgrounds. For instance, spirituality and religious faith play a central role in how many African Americans perceive health and illness. These beliefs can influence decisions about seeking medical care, adherence to treatment, and attitudes toward certain medical interventions. Healthcare providers who are culturally competent can better understand and respect these beliefs, leading to more effective and patient-centered care.

Cultural Competence as a Tool for Promoting Healthcare Equality Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the cultural differences that influence patients' health beliefs and practices. For healthcare providers, this means being aware of their own cultural biases, actively listening to patients, and tailoring care to meet the unique needs of each individual. By fostering cultural competence, healthcare providers can build trust with African American patients, improve communication, and ultimately enhance the quality of care.

Conclusion Cultural competence is essential for addressing the healthcare disparities faced by African Americans. By acknowledging the historical and socio-economic factors that contribute to these disparities and adopting culturally competent practices, healthcare providers can help bridge the gap in care and promote equality in healthcare access. This approach is not only critical for improving health outcomes for African Americans but also for advancing the broader goal of health equity in the United States.

References

1. Fuller-Rowell, T. E., Curtis, D. S., & Duke, A. M. (2018). Disparities in health between black and white Americans: Current knowledge and directions for future research. The Oxford Handbook of Integrative Health Science, 456-478. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190676384.013.33
2. Garg, A., Homer, C. J., & Dworkin, P. H. (2022). Addressing social determinants of health: Challenges and opportunities in a value-based model. Pediatric Collections: Social Determinants of Health (Part 3: Promoting Health Equity), 143(4), 43-45. https://doi.org/10.1542/9781610026390-part03-addressing_social
3. Greene-Moton, E., & Minkler, M. (2022). Corrigendum to “Cultural competence or cultural humility? Moving beyond the debate”. Health Promotion Practice, 23(4), 721-721. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399221079397
4. Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & Mösko, M. (2019). Culturally competent healthcare – A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision. PLOS ONE, 14(7), e0219971. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219971
5. Henry Akintobi, T., Jacobs, T., Sabbs, D., Holden, K., Braithwaite, R., Johnson, L. N., Dawes, D., & Hoffman, L. (2020). Community engagement of African Americans in the era of COVID-19: Considerations, challenges, implications, and recommendations for public health. Preventing Chronic Disease, 17, e200255. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd17.200255