This video supplements the webinar Staying Active: Sustaining Confidence Part II and addresses the need for cultural awareness education from both providers and clients. The video provides personal accounts from both providers and patients on their individual experiences with cultural education and its impact on client-provider interactions. Positive client-provider interactions improve the relationship between clients and providers and improve treatment outcomes.
In order to build and maintain a productive working relationship, care providers need to be aware of their biases and act with compassion for their clients. They are responsible for culturally activating their patient. Consumer cultural activation refers to the involvement of a patient’s cultural lens in their care decisions. The patient is involved in their care and shares information that may be important in their treatment options. Through open communication with their service providers, patients can strengthen their relationships with their providers and engage in treatment options that are culture conscious. The care provider is responsible for informing the client and engaging them in their care if the client is to be responsible for maintaining their wellness and path to recovery. Care providers have a responsibility to provide care that is informed by an awareness of cultural factors that may impact treatment effectiveness and outcomes. Patients who are culturally activated are more likely to be consistent in attending appointments, maintaining open communication with their providers, and remaining involved with the treatment system as needed. Service providers who work with the needs and limitations of their clients are more likely to provide solutions and care that works for their clients. Parents, especially single parents, may have trouble assisting children with behavioral health disorders and may not be able to follow traditional guidelines from care providers on helping their children. Connecting parents to resources that can help and providing alternative solutions for treatment and care can help both the parent and child maintain wellness and continue care.
This resource was first shared in 2016.
(Supplemental Video, YouTube)