Abstract:
The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess, analyze and clarify the cultural competence
of health care providers and patients in Jimma university specialized hospital. The role of
cultural competence and challenges faced by health care providers and patients during clinical
diagnosis in relation to cultural competence at Jimma university specialized hospital critically
been examined and analyzed. Qualitative approach was employed. Purposive sampling was used
to select physicians, patients and administrative staff informants from Jimma university
specialized hospital. Non-participant observation, in depth interview, key informant interview
and focus group discussion were used to generate data from informants. Data generated through
different data collection instruments triangulated for their reliability and validity purpose.
Findings from this study revealed that physicians and patients in Jimma university specialized
hospital were not familiar with the concept of cultural competence and its role in the health care
services and their knowledge concerning cultural competence very is limited. Moreover, the
study also indicated that there are different barriers during clinical diagnosis of patients.
Language barrier, religious barrier, traditional practice of patients, cultural barrier and low
literacy level of patients were among barriers during health care service delivery in Jimma
university specialized hospital. Findings from the study also showed that the extent of these
barriers on health care services delivery were not recognized by the Jimma university
specialized hospital administrative officials. That is it needs effective assessment to understand
the level or extent of these mentioned cultural competence problems in relation to health care
providers and patients.
