Developing Racial Literacy and Cultural Fluency in the Pediatric Healthcare Setting: The use of staff focus groups to address implicit bias and cultural competence when working with a culturally diverse patient population

Author

Natalie Kinsky, Bank Street College of Education

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Child Life (MS)

First Advisor

Genevieve Lowry

Abstract

Developing Racial Literacy and Cultural Fluency in the Pediatric Healthcare Setting: The use of staff focus groups to address implicit bias and cultural competence when working with a culturally diverse patient population by Natalie Kinsky.

The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP), quality improvement project was to explore how targeted education and discussion, delivered through healthcare staff focus groups pertaining to race, culture, and bias, affect staff members’ knowledge and awareness of how these issues and experiences affect pediatric patients/families.

The EBP project consisted of pediatric healthcare staff focus groups to discuss topics of race, bias, and culture. The self-selected participants belonged to a race affinity group. Each focus group was one hour in length and included participants’ viewing of Ted Talks, reading journal articles, completing the Race Implicit Association Test, and discussing the the topics facilitated by the principal investigator. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire at the end of the four group sessions to comment on overall thoughts, feelings, knowledge gained, and any unanswered questions.

Participants felt that dialogue related to issues of race, culture, and bias positively impacted their practice as healthcare professionals and that this type of “focus group” model would be recommended to departments across the hospital. Perception of and experiences with race, culture, and bias affect child and adolescent development. The child life specialist needs to consider the ethical framework of these issues to promote effective child life practice.

Comments

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Bank Street Child Life Program

Recommended Citation

Kinsky, N. (2018). Developing Racial Literacy and Cultural Fluency in the Pediatric Healthcare Setting: The use of staff focus groups to address implicit bias and cultural competence when working with a culturally diverse patient population. New York : Bank Street College of Education. https://educate.bankstreet.edu/independent-studies/418