Does cultural competence training for health professionals impact culturally and linguistically diverse patient outcomes? A systematic review of the literature

Objective: To assess the impact of cultural competence training for health professionals on patient outcomes. Method: A systematic review of cultural competence training interventions for healthcare workers including papers published January 2010 to January 2021, identified through MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC and APA PsychINFO. Health conditions were not specified, however, only studies reporting patient outcomes were included. Training frameworks and delivery, measures of health professional cultural competence, and patient outcomes were reviewed. Results: Of 7879 unique studies identified, five met inclusion criteria including two randomised control trials, two mixed method and one multi-method pre/post study. Professionals reported the training was beneficial, and some improvements in patient perceptions of health providers' cultural competence were found. However, patient health outcomes did not improve significantly in any study. Conclusion: Cultural competence training is promoted to improve outcomes of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds; however, few studies assess outcomes when examining training impact. Inconsistencies in theoretical frameworks and training makes it difficult to assess the efficacy of training on patient outcomes. Results: Of 7879 unique studies identified, five met inclusion criteria including two randomised control trials, two mixed method and one multi-method pre/post study. Professionals reported the training was beneficial, and some improvements in patient perceptions of health providers' cultural competence were found. However, patient health outcomes did not improve significantly in any study. Conclusion: Cultural competence training is promoted to improve outcomes of patients from culturally diverse backgrounds; however, few studies assess outcomes when examining training impact. Inconsistencies in theoretical frameworks and training makes it difficult to assess the efficacy of training on patient outcomes. Practice implications: To ascertain the benefits of health professional cultural competence training on patient outcomes, research needs to address the issues of definition, theoretical frameworks and implementation approaches to training.