Lamar Medical Center

Cultural competency

Cultural competency is a part of the “art of medicine, characterized by awareness, sensitivity, respect and understanding of differences that patients seeking healthcare may have."

Cultural competency requires that the provider be aware and knowledgeable about the following:

- Illness and disease vary across cultures

- Belief systems and attitudes about health, healing and disease are diverse.

-  Cultural attitudes affect patient- doctor relationships

-  All aspects of culture are not uniformly expressed or shared within groups

Higher Risks Populations:

Hypertension

Risk factors are higher among racial and ethnic minorities. These populations also tend to develop symptoms at an earlier age and are less likely to be treated.

Cardiovascular Disease

Risk factors are higher among ethnic minority women than most other women