MPD 124 Cultural Competence in Health Care
This is a five-(5) week/module online asynchronous course where you can access course materials at any time along with scheduled discussions with the professor and threaded discussions with peers. Class will be held fully online. There will be no synchronous sessions or mandatory class meetings. This course is taught in English and there will be nuances of Spanish to better explain the cultural material. Learners will receive 3.5 Continuing Education Units for successful completion of this course. The objective of this online course is to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity skills that will help professionals provide competent and excellent health care to Hispanic populations. This course is designed for native and proficient speakers of English. The course stresses sensitivity to and respect for cultural, ethnic and spiritual diversity in a health care setting. Cultural competency is one of the main ingredients in closing the gaps relating to disparities in health care. As the United States becomes a more racially and ethnically diverse nation, health care systems and providers need to respond to patients' varied perspectives, values, and behaviors about health and well-being. Failure to understand and manage social and cultural differences may have significant health consequences for minority groups in particular. This course sets out to provide a framework for discussion and examples of practical approaches to cultural competence by evaluating current definitions of cultural competence and identify benefits to the health care system; identifying models of culturally competent care; determining key components of cultural competence and develop recommendations to implement culturally competent interventions and improve the sensitivity and awareness of health care professionals working with Spanish Speaking patient and family. Each week readings will be posted within the Course Modules section of Blackboard and you will have opportunities to participate in online forums through Blackboard's discussion board. This will facilitate conversation with other peers and your instructor. A course fee is charged for enrollment.