Cultural Competency: Why it is Important for ALL Athletic Trainers

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.