Assessment of cultural competence in health care services: the case of Jimma University specialized hospital

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.