The role of cultural competency training to address health disparities in surgical settings

Abstract

Background: Disparities in health care delivered to marginalized groups are unjust and result in poor health outcomes that increase the cost of care for everyone. These disparities are largely avoidable and health care providers, have been targeted with education and specialised training to address these disparities.

Sources of data: In this manuscript we have sought out both peer-reviewed material on Pubmed, as well as policy statements on the potential role of cultural competency training (CCT) for providers in the surgical care setting. The goal of undertaking this work was to determine whether there is evidence that these endeavours are effective at reducing disparities.

Areas of agreement: The unjustness of health care disparities is universally accepted.

Areas of controversy: Whether the outcome of CCT justifies the cost has not been effectively answered.

Growing points: These include the structure/content of the CCT and whether the training should be delivered to teams in the surgical setting.

Areas timely for developing research: Because health outcomes are affected by many different inputs, should the effectiveness of CCT be improvement in health outcomes or should we use a proxy or a surrogate of health outcomes.

Keywords: cultural competency training; healthcare disparities; professionalism; surgical setting.