Applying Campinha-Bacote’s Model of Cultural Competence to Personal Practice Beliefs
Introduction
Campinha-Bacote’s model of cultural competence is a framework that can be used to guide healthcare professionals in providing culturally competent care. The model has five constructs: cultural desire, cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, and cultural encounters.
Cultural Desire
The first construct, cultural desire, is the foundation of cultural competence. It is the willingness and commitment of the healthcare professional to provide culturally competent care. This means being open to learning about different cultures and being willing to adapt one’s practice to meet the needs of the patient.
Cultural Awareness
The second construct, cultural awareness, is the ability to recognize and understand the importance of culture in healthcare. This includes being aware of one’s own culture and how it may influence one’s interactions with patients. It also includes being aware of the cultures of the patients that one serves.
Cultural Knowledge
The third construct, cultural knowledge, is the acquisition of information about different cultures. This information can be obtained from a variety of sources, such as books, articles, and websites. It is important to note that culture is dynamic and ever-changing, so it is important to keep one’s cultural knowledge up-to-date.
Cultural Skill
The fourth construct, cultural skill, is the ability to apply cultural knowledge in the clinical setting. This includes being able to communicate effectively with patients from different cultures, being able to assess patients from different cultures, and being able to provide culturally appropriate care.
Cultural Encounters
The fifth construct, cultural encounters, is the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures. This can be done through formal education, informal interactions, or clinical practice. Cultural encounters provide the opportunity to learn about different cultures firsthand and to develop cultural competence.
St. Thomas University Mission and Values
St. Thomas University is a Catholic university that is committed to providing a quality education to students from all backgrounds. The university’s mission statement is to “educate students to think critically, act ethically, and serve others.” The university’s values include:
- Integrity: St. Thomas University students are taught to be honest and ethical in all of their endeavors.
- Excellence: St. Thomas University students are taught to strive for excellence in their academic work and in their personal lives.
- Service: St. Thomas University students are taught to serve others and to make a difference in the world.
Reflection on Learning
Throughout this course, I have learned a great deal about cultural competence. I have learned about the importance of cultural desire, cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, and cultural encounters. I have also learned about the different cultures that I serve as a healthcare professional.
I have learned that cultural competence is an essential skill for healthcare professionals. It is important to be able to provide culturally competent care because everyone is different and has different needs. Culturally competent care can help to ensure that all patients receive the best possible care.
