Culturally sensitive mental health services through quality improvement
International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance
ISSN: 0952-6862
Article publication date: 1 February 2000
Abstract
An urban mental health service undertook a quality improvement programme to involve staff in the identification and resolution of cross‐cultural issues. The programme involved clinical file audits, staff survey and workshops, and a focus group for consumers and their carers. It was found that non‐English speaking patients received a different spectrum of services from English speaking patients. Non‐English speaking patients were found to receive more pharmacological treatments and less cognitive behavioural therapy. In seeking to address these issues and improve their service delivery to all patients, the mental health service is now in the process of developing cross‐cultural training; revising policies and procedures; and engaging bilingual mental health counsellors in a revision of their roles, particularly to increase their availability to staff as cultural consultants.
Keywords
Citation
Tobin, M., Chen, L., Edwards, J.L. and Chan, S. (2000), "Culturally sensitive mental health services through quality improvement", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526860010311044
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited