Cultural competence of mental health practitioners in the Netherlands

Background: The importance of providing mental health from a transcultural perspective in establishing a therapeutic alliance is recognized. However, it is currently unknown how many mental health practitioners in the Netherlands feel capable of providing mental healthcare from a transcultural perspective, or if they are familiar with the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI). The CFI is a tool used in mental health care to gather culturally relevant patient information, enhancing cultural sensitivity in treatment. It is also unknown if there is a difference between psychiatrist and psychiatry residents in terms of their cultural competence. Aims: This study aimed to assess the self-appraised cultural competence of Dutch psychiatrist and psychiatry residents, including their knowledge of the CFI, and the need for further training. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among psychiatrists and psychiatry residents by means of an online questionnaire. Results: Ninety-seven mental health practitioners completed the questionnaire. Of the psychiatrists 70% and of the residents 76% reported that treating patients from cultural backgrounds different from their own background is challenging. Only 44% of psychiatrists and 34% of residents considered themselves sufficiently culturally competent, and 56% and 47% respectively, were uninformed about the CFI. The majority of psychiatrists and residents (70 vs 84%) indicated a need for more training in cultural competence. Conclusion: The majority of psychiatrists and residents in The Netherlands considered treating patients from different cultural backgrounds a challenge, reported feeling insufficiently culturally competent, lacked experience with the cultural formulation interview and reported a need for more training in cultural competence.