As part of the National Minority Health and Health Disparities month, Docs For Tots would like to provide our network with 10 steps you can take to eliminate health disparities.  The information below is intended to be a starting point for building cultural competence and starting discussions around issues seen on a national level, in your community, and even within your practice or hospital.     

Statistics showing the effects of disparities on health and development for young children are staggering.  According to “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Early Childhood Health and Health Care,” an article by Lynn Olson and Sandra C. Tomany-Korman and DFT network doctor Glenn Flores in Pediatrics, Hispanic and black children are significantly less likely than whites to be in excellent/very good health (72%, 79%, and 90%, respectively).  Evidence also shows that minority parents more often report that providers never or only sometimes understand their child-rearing preferences, and Hispanic parents most often report that providers never or only sometimes understand their child’s needs.     

The direct effect that culturally competent and linguistically appropriate practices have on patient outcomes is undeniable.  By incorporating such practices into your care of children, you will be affording them access to the highest quality care, care that ensures their ability to incorporate effective treatment plans and education that allows them to improve their quality of life.  It is also clear that your unique and intimate knowledge of children’s health can contribute to advocating towards eliminating health disparities for children thereby having a tremendous impact on so many aspects of child health and well being.  Dr. Like, Professor and Director Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity Department of Family Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, said “By following these recommended steps, doctors will be able to provide patient-centered/
family-focused/community-oriented care to an increasingly diverse population. Our clinical practice settings will also become more culturally effective and responsive 'medical homes' that can help to eliminate disparities in health and health care.”
 

10 Things you can do Eliminate Health Disparities

1.Have multilingual/multicultural quality patient education materials available in your office.

2. Offer all patients the opportunity to have an interpreter if English is not their primary language. High quality translation services can have an impact on quality of care and health outcomes for patients with limited English proficiency.

3. Participate in free online CME courses on culturally competent care or attend a conference on cultural competence that uses rigorous study designs, well-described interventions and measurable objectives that are linked to process and outcome variables.

4. Read journal articles on strategies to prevent health disparities, and educate yourself on the different types of disparities that affect your patients.

5. Talk to your colleagues about ways to better help the patients your clinic or hospital serves. Regional needs and clientele differ, so start the dialogue and bring ideas and solutions to your staff meetings. Become familiar with CLAS standards (National standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) and assess how your areas are measuring up.

6. Recognize the barriers populations may face in accessing medical help in your community. These could include time constraints and office hours, poverty, and financial difficulties, as well as problems accessing hospitals for non-emergency care. Take time to reflect upon the multiple factors influencing their well-being.

7. Employ enhanced communication strategies during patient interviews and interactions using the LEARN, ETHNIC, or BATHE frameworks, interviewing techniques that are effective in eliciting cultural beliefs and social influences impacting decision making. These techniques enhance the patient provider relationship.

8.Take a self assessment of your awareness around culturally competent care and identify opportunities for improvement.

9.Explore beliefs and trends amongst the diverse patient populations you serve. While all patients and families are unique, and avoiding stereotyping is essential, these can be very useful guides to broaden your fund of knowledge.

10. Stay current on policy related to children's health and advocacy efforts around eliminating health disparities, and participate in the process.

Docs For Tots
A Nationwide Network of Doctors
Advocating For Young Children!