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Cultural Competence Within Behavioral Medicine: Culturally Competent CBT with Diverse Medical Populations

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The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Behavioral Medicine

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Psychiatry ((CCPSY))

Abstract

Health disparities negatively impact the physical and mental health outcomes of diverse groups. Though more attention has been given to address this issue in the past decade, within behavioral medicine there continue to be limited resources available to address disparities. Cultural competence is a core component necessary for the provision of appropriate care, and a potential tool that can guide the development of clinical care and research. Within behavioral medicine, cultural competence involves knowledge and tools that can be utilized to provide effective care at the intersection of physical and mental health across diverse populations.

In this chapter, we begin by discussing the need for cultural competence within behavioral medicine in the context of specific ethno-cultural groups and health disparities. Next we provide evidence base for cultural competence in cognitive behavioral interventions addressing diverse groups with medical conditions, linking these to tools to enhance Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We then define cultural competence and provide a framework for addressing cultural competence, including examples of frequently used tools. Finally we provide a case illustration highlighting the application of cultural competence to CBT for the treatment of depression in a Latina woman living with HIV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Service, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    C. Andres Bedoya Ph.D., Sannisha K. Dale Ph.D., Ed.M. & Peter P. Ehlinger B.A.

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  1. C. Andres Bedoya Ph.D.
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  2. Sannisha K. Dale Ph.D., Ed.M.
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  3. Peter P. Ehlinger B.A.
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Correspondence to C. Andres Bedoya Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry Behavioral Medicine Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Ana-Maria Vranceanu

  2. Dept. of Psychiatric Oncology & Behavior, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Ce, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Joseph A. Greer

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Steven A. Safren

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Bedoya, C.A., Dale, S.K., Ehlinger, P.P. (2017). Cultural Competence Within Behavioral Medicine: Culturally Competent CBT with Diverse Medical Populations. In: Vranceanu, AM., Greer, J., Safren, S. (eds) The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Behavioral Medicine. Current Clinical Psychiatry. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29294-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29294-6_15

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