title: Developing a culturally competent health care workforce in Japan: implications for education.
abstract: In recent years, the population of foreign nationals and individuals from diverse cultural, racial, ethnic, and linguistic populations has consistently increased in Japan. An apparent failure by the health care workforce to deliver culturally congruent health care services has resulted in dissatisfaction with the health care system on the part of foreign nationals and increased potential for negative health care outcomes. Primary hindrances to the development of a culturally competent health care workforce include limited exposure to foreigners, cultural factors, and language difficulties. Recommendations are proposed for strategic educational actions to address these obstacles and develop in Japan a culturally competent health care workforce.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Yamaguchi Prefectural University, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. serizawa@n.ypu.jp
authors.forename: Asako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serizawa
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004517:Education, Professional; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000639:trends; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D019303:Multilingualism; D018802:Patient-Centered Care