Reference no: EM132810220

Review the details shared in the initial post. Discuss the organizational barriers that could exist in implementing cultural competency initiatives.

Biases in Health Care

Explicit and Implicit Bias in Health Care

Unconscious bias may contribute to the health disparities that exist in the United States. Currently, over 60% of Americans are categorized as obese, which is relevant due to the increase in anti-obesity bias in the United States (George, DeCristofaro & Murphy, 2019). Implicit bias is defined as unconscious bias and explicit as conscious bias. Organizations and individuals that exhibit cultural competence (or proficiency) acknowledge others' social, cultural, and linguistic differences and can use their knowledge to behave with sensitivity and communicate more effectively. This is a strategic tool for organizations to grow. When medical staff can communicate in different languages and understand other cultures' meaning, it helps the patient feel trust, secure, and understood. Patients are more likely to express their concerns and needs. "The term cultural competence is used frequently in health care because it attempts to capture the need to effectively understand and navigate diversity in all facets of the health care environment" (Baack, Fischer & Vellek, 2020).

When patients are involved in biases, their quality of care could reduce significantly. Patients are most likely to either refuse to reive care or to feel comfortable accepting medical treatments. It is essential to understand other people's backgrounds and beliefs. Cultural beliefs affect organizations in different levels, such as managerial and decision making. "One of the more common problems associated with diversity is stereotyping, which occurs when someone applies preconceived (and often inaccurate) averages or characteristics to every individual in a group" (Baack, Fischer & Vellek, 2020). Three to combat biases is practicing mindfulness, understanding other people's backgrounds, focus on seeing people as individuals, and allowing time to pause.