title: Cultural competence and health care disparities: key perspectives and trends.
abstract: Cultural competence has gained attention as a potential strategy to improve quality and eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in health care. In 2002 we conducted interviews with experts in cultural competence from managed care, government, and academe to identify their perspectives on the field. We present our findings here and then identify recent trends in cultural competence focusing on health care policy, practice, and education. Our analysis reveals that many health care stakeholders are developing initiatives in cultural competence. Yet the motivations for advancing cultural competence and approaches taken vary depending on mission, goals, and sphere of influence.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. jbetancourt@pol.net
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Betancourt
authors.forename: Alexander R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: J Emilio
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.forename: Elyse R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence; D012935:Social Justice; D014481:United States