My name is Natalie Trotter. I am the Athletic Trainer for Women's
Basketball and Golf at the University of Arkansas. I am also District VI representative for the
NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Council (SWATA Chairperson), as well as the
chair of AATA's Diversity Committee. I
am blogging in hopes of defying myths on what the Ethnic Diversity Council is,
who it benefits as well as defining what cultural competency is and why it is
vital in any role in the healthcare professional.
The mission of the EDAC is to serve in an advisory
capacity to the SWATA Executive Board. The Committee identifies and addresses
issues relevant to ethnic minority members and health care concerns affecting
physically active ethnic minority individuals. The committee advocates
sensitivity towards cultural diversity throughout the profession and the
association. Acknowledging the culturally diverse issues impacting our
association, the objectives and strategies are presented to strengthen and
unify the association.
EDAC is not just about us as athletic trainers, it is
important to remember it is also about our patients.
Cultural competence is defined as the ability to interact
effectively with people of different cultures and socio-economic
backgrounds. In Sports Medicine it is a
must resource in order to be a "sound" health care professional. As
Athletic Trainers often we work with persons from different cultural/ethnic
backgrounds, whether coworkers, superiors, patients and or athletes. Cultural competence per definition comprises
four components: (a) Awareness of one's own cultural worldview, (b) Attitude
towards cultural differences, (c) Knowledge of different cultural practices and
worldviews, and (d) Cross-cultural skills. As health care providers it is vital
to develop cultural competency. Once cultural competency is attained, it
results in an ability to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact
with people across cultures. No two
injuries are the same, just as no two people are the same. To be successful as
a health care professional it is important to have a sensitivity to
patients/athlete's needs, which in turn provides a positive experience for both
the provider and patient.
