Cultural Competency 2010 

Read the final report:  Measurement and Implementation Strategies: Summary Report

The Opportunity

Eliminating disparities is one of NQF’s priorities. One major contributor to healthcare disparities is a lack of culturally competent care. Even as healthcare systems improve, medical errors, misunderstandings, and a lack of patient adherence may still increase disparities because of the lack of culturally accurate and appropriate services; certainly the gap is unlikely to close. Providing culturally appropriate services not only has the potential to reduce disparities and improve outcomes, but it also can create greater patient satisfaction and help increase the efficiency of clinical and support staff.

About the Project

In 2009, NQF completed an extensive project endorsing a definition, framework, and set of 45 preferred practices for measuring and reporting cultural competency. Building upon framework and preferred practices, this project will identify next steps for cultural competency measures and concepts for the development of a cultural competency practice implementation measure. In addition, strategies to implement and operationalize the preferred practices for culturally competent care will be identified.

The Process 

This project does not follow NQF’s formal Consensus Development Process; no products will be endorsed. NQF will be guided by an expert panel comprised of various stakeholders who will provide recommendations for cultural competency measures and implementation strategies. The expert panel’s report will provide background and context for a future Consensus Development project.

Project Funding 

This project is funded by The California Endowment.

Related NQF Work 

• A Comprehensive Framework and Preferred Practices for Measuring and Reporting Cultural Competency: A Consensus Report 
• National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Ambulatory Care – Measuring Healthcare Disparities, 2008 
• Improving Healthcare Quality for Minority Patients: Workshop Summary, 2002 
• RFP: Development of a Cultural Competency Implementation Survey Measure 

Contact Information 

For more information, contact Nicole W. McElveen, MPH at 202-783-1300 or culturalcompetency@qualityforum.org.