Evaluation of cultural responsiveness using a transcultural secondary consultation model

Abstract

This article describes the expansion of a transcultural secondary consultation model run by a state-wide transcultural unit. The model aims to enhance cultural responsiveness in partnership with mental health services. We discuss a series of 12 consultations that occurred between 2011 and 2012. We outline the processes of setting up the structure of secondary consultation, the actual consultation-facilitation format, and methods of evaluation. Evaluations were done in two phases: the first immediately after the consult and the second after a period of 3-6 months. The discussion highlights the usefulness of a transcultural model of consultation and, based on the evaluations, identifies the benefits the model brings to understanding and intervening with clients, culture, and systems. The results emphasise the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and a facilitated space for clinical teams to explore culturally responsive therapeutic practices.

Clinical approaches to cultural diversity in mental health care and specificities of French transcultural consultations: A narrative review.

“…The patient's culture and various attachments are thus an integral part of the process of therapy. In this sense, the French transcultural approach is radically different from the models proposing to adapt the standard framework of care by training professionals in cultural competence (5,13,16,19,22,23,31,(51)(52)(53) or via integration through using interpreters or cultural mediators (35,38,54).…”

“…Along the same lines, the models of training and liaison consulting (7,8,15,16,19,52,53), all involving advice to first-line therapists by transcultural experts, are limited by the adaptability of standard treatments. To the potential rigidity of the patient's psychological functioning is added the potential rigidity imposed by the type of supervision the patient's therapist receives.…”

“…Healthcare systems can adapt in several ways: using interpreters and cultural mediators, training professionals in cultural competence ( Table 1) and supervision, making innovations in the therapeutic framework of general mental health services, and developing specialized clinics for ethnic minorities (8,10,(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). In France, a complete psychotherapeutic method was conceived in the 1980s by T. Nathan and then expanded by MR Moro (one of the authors) for the management of migrant families facing issues that cannot be solved in standard psychotherapy: Transcultural Psychotherapy (TPT).…”

Clinical Approaches to Cultural Diversity in Mental Health Care and Specificities of French Transcultural Consultations: A Scoping Review

“…Its objective is to improve the accessibility, quality, and cultural appropriateness of mental health care for migrants. Specific innovations include the creation of jobs such as consultant in ethnic mental health and the recruitment of bilingual staff (16,19,32). Moreover, specialized services have been developed for the treatment of victims of torture and trauma to help refugees (33,34).…”

“…Healthcare systems can adapt in several ways ( Table 1): using interpreters and cultural mediators, training professionals in cultural competence and supervision, making innovations in the therapeutic framework of general psychiatric services, and developing specialized clinics for ethnic minorities (8,10,(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). In France, a complete psychotherapeutic method was conceived in the 1980s by T. Nathan and then expanded by MR Moro (one of the authors) for the management of migrant families facing issues that cannot be solved in standard psychotherapy: Transcultural Psychotherapy (TPT).…”