A qualitative needs assessment for development of a cultural consultation service.
Cross-cultural mental health services were assessed using qualitative interviews and focus groups of 43 mental health clinicians and program directors in one of the most ethnically integrated cities in the U.S. The commonly used strategy of ethnic matching between clinician and patient was found to be difficult to effectively apply to an ethnically diverse and highly integrated patient population. Information from cultural-competency training was also found to be difficult to apply, particularly due to time limitations and language barriers. Implementation of a cultural consultation service, which uses in-depth cultural evaluations and case-based learning, may help bridge these service gaps.
Ton
Hendry
H
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento 95817, USA. hton@ucdavis.edu
Koike
Alan
A
Hales
Robert E
RE
Johnson
Jo Ann
JA
Hilty
Donald M
DM
D002140:California; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005008:Ethnopsychology / Q000193:education*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D020380:Needs Assessment; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D016526:Workload