Leadership strategies for advancing the cultural competence vision
Joan U. Bretschneider, PhD, RN, Department of Nursing Develoment and Education, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Successful health care for the 21st century requires new learning and thinking, which emphasizes the development of superior leadership skills and competencies that can help to eliminate current disparities in health care, provide an environment of inclusiveness, improve quality and ensure safe health care practices. Passionate leaders must find new ways to enrich their abilities and respond appropriately to the complex and increasing challenges that ebb from the interface of globalization, information technology, consumerism, changing demographics, multiculturalism, and, in general, a world where the only constant is change. The strategies for improving quality care as reported by the Institute of Medicines (IOM) reports “Crossing the quality chasm and Unequal treatment – confronting racial and ethnic disparities in health care emphasized patient centered and equitable care as hallmark of culturally competent health care organizations. Leaders who create a compelling vision for cultural competence in their organizations are able to cut across structural, financial and clinical barriers while improving quality health care and outcomes for all.