Impact of a Cultural Awareness Educational Intervention to Improve Cultural Safety to Minorities in Hawai'i

Abstract

Globalization has resulted in cultural diversity across the nation. In healthcare, people of minority cultures and ethnicities experience a more significant effect on negative health issues. Health care has evolved into an evidence-based science that does not always take into account the culture of the patient. Culture plays a role in how people interact with others. Cultural safety is a concept that describes the dismissive treatment of native peoples that is not respectful or inclusive of their values and customs. The trust built within these relationships helps to create expectations and cooperation that is mutually beneficial for both parties. Cultural humility is the goal of cultural safety and is a critical factor in building a foundation for a trusting, beneficial relationship. Project participants will receive a three-hour online educational module along with a pre and post-test. The goal for this project is to increase the awareness of the importance that creating a culturally safe atmosphere is an integral part of providing quality health care to Native Hawaiians and other minorities in Hawai'i. It is the assumption that the outcome of this project will result in improved therapeutic relationships between providers and patients, which will translate into improved health outcomes for their patients. The project recruited a small number of participants and as a result, statistical significance was not found. Comments from the participants found the educational module to be timely, important and useful.