Provider Perceptions of the Organization's Cultural Competence Climate and Their Skills and Behaviors Targeting Patient-Centered Care for Socially At-Risk Populations

Abstract

As part of a cultural competence needs assessment study at a large academic health care system, we conducted a survey among 1,220 practicing physicians to assess their perceptions of the organization's cultural competence climate and their skills and behaviors targeting patient-centered care for culturally and socially diverse patients. Less than half of providers reported engaging in behaviors to address cultural and social barriers more than 75% of the time. In multivariable logistic regression models, providers who reported moderate or major structural problems were more likely to report low skillfulness in identifying patient mistrust (aOR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.23-3.28, p<0.01), how well patients read and write English (aOR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.03-2.57, p=0.03), and socioeconomic barriers (aOR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.14-4.01, p=0.01), than providers who reported only small or no structural problems. Improved structural support for socially and culturally complex medical encounters is needed to enhance care for socially at-risk patients.