Culture is a major factor in how people respond to:
Health services
How they experience illness
How they access care
How they approach the process of getting well
Patient satisfaction and even positive health outcomes are directly related to good communication between a member and his or her provider.
A culturally competent provider effectively communicates with patients and understands their individual concerns. It is incumbent on providers to make sure patients understand their care regimen.
The Medicaid population in Ohio is approximately 32 percent African American and 2 percent Hispanic, according to 2012 data. Some live in long-term care and residential settings and participate in HCBS waiver programs. Each segment of this population requires special sensitivities and strategies to embrace cultural differences.
As part of our cultural competency program, we provide information to our providers on the Office of Minority Health's web-based A Physician's Guide to Culturally Competent Care. The American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians endorse this program, which provides up to 9.0 hours of category 1 AMA credits at no cost.
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