Cultural Competency, Community-Based Organizations, and a Resilient Community Landscape-Important Elements of Philadelphia’s Health Care System By Raymond Lum, Professor of Health Management and Policy
The healthcare landscape of Philadelphia is constantly changing. Often a byproduct of change is the hope for improved health care. Philadelphia’s diverse population brings much richness and uniqueness. It is when this human capital is used to provide culturally competent health care services, when community-based organizations assume a major role, and when the community infrastructure and landscape is strong and resilient when a diverse community such as Philadelphia’s can best provide effective health care services.
Communities and their community based organizations play an important role in providing a spectrum of services that impact everyday life of many. They vary from social, educational, legal, economical and medical programs. For some communities, the health care services of community-based organizations are the linchpin for better health services; they provide health care services that lay below the umbrella of hospitals and other official health care services. They also can galvanize the community to advocate for health care reform. Communities and their respective organizations provide direct and indirect support to individuals and households on personal, public, private and professional levels.
Cultural competency plays an important role in providing healthcare services to a diverse population like Philadelphia’s. It provides a sense of equity and reduces health disparity. The strength of Philadelphia lies in its collaborative nature among established organizations with emerging and existing multi-cultural community-based organizations. It is clear that the vision, passion and drive of these multi-cultural community based organizations along with their collaborating partners are critical for better health services. It is the co-mingling of organizational capital and community human capital that strengthens the capacity for culturally competent practices and health care delivery.
In addition, health services are wide ranging. Organizations need to be able to provide access to services for acute conditions while providing access to those who need to manage chronic conditions. Also, organizations need to be able to address concerns of quality as well as cost to support health care. While ongoing capacity is being built, it is the resilience of the community landscape that provides the energy and will power to advocate for improved health care and navigate the complex health system for improved health care delivery in Philadelphia.
Related posts:
- WHAT ASPECT OF HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IS MOST IN NEED OF REFORM? By Arnold Rosoff, Professor of Health Care Management and Legal Studies
- Barriers to Health Care Access in Philadelphia By Marla Gold, Dean, Drexel School of Public Health
- Character Trumps Policy in the 2007 Philadelphia Election By Brett Mandel, Executive Director of Philadelphia Forward
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