How culturally aware are you?

A new elearning tool has been launched to better support NHS clinicians in how to meet the diverse needs of all patients and families.

The new learning resource, entitled Cultural Competence, aims to support clinicians in the NHS to gain knowledge and understanding of the issues around culture and health; and how this might influence health care outcomes.

Funded by Health Education North Central East London (HENCEL) and developed from work initially undertaken as part of the Mary Seacole Awards, the new resource has been created to improve communication between patients and clinicians and enhance staff confidence in navigating and responding to the varied needs of their patients. Cultural competence supports the provision of quality and safe health services and this elearning tool aims to highlight the key issues relating to culture which may influence the uptake of health care and treatment options.

The resource, developed by Health Education England’s elearning for healthcare (HEE elfh) programme, includes animation, interactive activities and opportunities for self-reflection and evaluation. The elearning programme covers three modules, the first two for all health professionals and the third specifically aimed at midwives. It was developed through exploratory and development work examining midwives’ knowledge, understanding and experiences of providing culturally sensitive care as well as the needs of black and minority ethnic service users’ and their experiences of maternity service provision.

For more information about Cultural Competence and to access the elearning visit http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/cultural-competence/