Behavorial Medicine Research Team
Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care and Health Promotion Project

Culturally sensitivity in health care refers to patient identified knowledge, behaviors, skills, and policies needed to effectively provide health care to culturally diverse patients.

Dr. Carolyn Tucker and her team have undertaken the challenge of promoting patient-centered culturally sensitive health care as a means of reducing health disparities among low-income adults who use community health clinics for their primary health care.  Patient-centered culturally sensitive health care involves (a) changing the physical environment so that patients feel that they belong there, (b) training all providers and office staff in the behaviors and attitudes that make patients feel comfortable, trusting, and respected, and (c) training patients in behaviors and skills to inspire the behaviors they desire from their healthcare providers and office staff.  As a result, patients enjoy high levels of health care satisfaction, are more likely to adhere to treatment plans, and are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors.

For our research team's brochure, click here.