Associations Between Aspects of Culturally Competent Care and Clinical Outcomes Among Patients With Diabetes

Abstract

Culturally competent care may be associated with clinical outcomes in diabetes management, which requires effective physician-patient collaboration. The recent development and validation of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Cultural Competence tool enables investigation of possible associations. To assess whether 3 aspects of culturally competent care are associated with glycemic, lipid, and blood pressure control among ethnically diverse patients with diabetes. Survey and chart review study of patients recruited from urban safety net clinics in 2 cities. A total of 600 patients with type 2 diabetes and a primary care physician. We used multivariate logistic regression to assess the independent relationships between the 3 domains of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Cultural Competence (Doctor Communication-Positive Behaviors, Trust, and Doctor Communication-Health Promotion) and glycemic, lipid, and systolic blood pressure control after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors. In adjusted analysis, high Trust was associated with lower likelihood of poor glycemic control (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.84) and high Doctor Communication-Health Promotion was associated with a higher likelihood of poor glycemic control (odds ratio, 1.49, 95% CI, 1.02-2.19). None of the 3 aspects of culturally competent care examined were associated with lipid or systolic blood pressure control after adjustment. Trust in physician, a core component of culturally competent care, but not doctor communication behavior, was associated with a lower likelihood of poor glycemic control in a safety net population with diabetes. Glycemic control may be more sensitive to patient physician partnership than blood pressure and hyperlipidemia control.