A Biblically Based Model of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services

The Biblically Based Model of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services defines cultural competence as the ongoing process in which the healthcare professional continuously strives to achieve the ability and availability to work effectively within the cultural context of the patient (individual, family, community) from a biblical perspective. This process requires healthcare professionals to see the image of God (“imago Dei”) in their patients as well as see themselves as becoming culturally competent rather than being culturally competent. The model is intended to serve as a guide to assist healthcare professionals in integrating the biblical virtues of love, caring, humility, love of truth, teachableness, intellectual honesty, wisdom, discernment, justice, prudence, attentiveness, studiousness, practical wisdom, understanding, temperance, patience and compassion into the model’s constructs of “imago Dei“, cultural desire, cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill and cultural encounters. In exploring the Biblically Based Model of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services, several strategies for maintaining a biblical worldview during the process of becoming culturally competent will be presented. It is my hope that this book will stimulate a renewed interest in enhancing healthcare professionals’ level of cultural competence by connecting them to the intellectual and moral virtues that are found within the Bible. A biblical worldview Intellectual and moral virtues A biblically based model of cultural competence in the delivery of Healthcare services Imago Dei Cultural desire Cultural awareness Cultural knowledge Cultural skill Cultural encounters Cultural competence: am I ready.