Richardean S. Benjamin, RN, MPH, PhD¹, Laurel S. Garzon, DNSc, CPNP¹, Carolyn Rutledge, PhD¹, and Stacey B. Plichta, ScD². (1) School of Nursing, Old Dominion University, Hughes Hall, 2091A, Norfolk, VA 23529-0500, 757-683-4297, rbenjami@odu.edu, (2) College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529

It has been estimated that one in four Americans (67 million) is classified as a member of one of the four major racial or ethnic minority groups: African American, Latino/Hispanic, native American or Asian/Pacific Islander. The changing demographics and the related negative health outcomes reported by the Institute of Medicine Report ((IOM), 2002) has forced health professions educators to reexamine approach used to prepare students. Health disparities have been linked to a number of issues, one of which relates to inadequate preparation of healthcare providers when caring for individuals from diverse populations. This study uses a qualitative approach to responding to the question of the relationship of cultural competency and health disparity in healthcare. A series of focus groups are being conducted over the next year with participants from key cultural groups representative of the Hampton Roads area to determine factors that contribute to enhancements and barriers to client encounters with health care providers. A semi-structure discussion guide developed by the principal investigator, guided by themes from the literature regarding factors that affect health disparities and concepts included in the Campina-Bacote model of Cultural Competence (2003). Socio-demographic information will be summarized using descriptive statistics. Focus group transcripts are being systematically analyzed for themes and patterns to facilitate identification of barriers and enhancers of health care utilization as reported by the participants. Additionally, a subgroup of focus group participants will participate in the review and evaluation of the standardized patient simulated cases created for use in educating nursing students.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of using focus groups to determine client health care needs
• Determine the relationship between provider cultural competence and client help seeking behaviors
• Describe lessons learned from using a grassroots approach to enhancing cultural competency of nursing students
• Discuss implications of using standardized patient simulation cases to educate nurses

Keywords: Cultural Competency, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.