Updated CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (CMA) Standards for Cultural and Linguistic Competency and Implicit Bias
In
August, 2021, the CMA issued updated
cultural and linguistic competency (CLC) standards and created standards
for implicit bias (IB) that reduce health disparities, as well as comply with state law. Continuing medical education (CME) providers are required by state
Assembly Bills 1195 and 241, and the standards created by the CMA, to include components that address cultural
and linguistic competency and implicit bias in CME activities.
CMA Standards
What is Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CLC)?
Cultural competency means a set of integrated
attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enables a health care professional
or organization to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures,
groups, and communities. At a minimum, cultural competency is
recommended to include the following:
- Applying linguistic skills to communicate effectively with the target population.
- Utilizing cultural information to establish therapeutic relationships.
- Eliciting and incorporating pertinent cultural data in diagnosis and treatment.
- Understanding and applying cultural and ethnic data to the process of clinical care.
Linguistic competency means the ability of a physician and
surgeon to provide patients who do not speak English or who have limited
ability to speak English, direct communication in the patient’s primary
language. Assembly Bill 1195
What is Implicit Bias (IB)?
Implicit bias, meaning the attitudes or
internalized stereotypes that affect our perceptions, actions, and
decisions in an unconscious manner, exists, and often contributes to
unequal treatment of people based on race, ethnicity, gender identity,
sexual orientation, age, disability, and other characteristics.
Implicit bias contributes to health disparities by affecting the
behavior of physicians and surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, and
other healing arts licensees. Assembly Bill 241
California Medical Association Resources (click on "additional resources")