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.

Comparing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without vertebral fracture and its value in recognizing high-risk individuals.

Vertebral fracture, the hallmark of osteoporosis, usually occurs in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD). The aim this study was to determine which BMD parameter can best predict women at high risk of fracture. BMD values at the spine and femoral neck were compared in 34 women with vertebral fracture and 34 controls. Mean BMD (g/cm2), T-score, and Z-score values at both femoral neck and spine were significantly lower in the fracture than the nonfracture group. Z-score was more sensitive than BMD T-score for detecting low bone mass. T-score was not sensitive enough to identify low BMD in the spine, whereas the femoral neck T-score could recognize women at high risk of fracture with higher accuracy.

Comparing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with and without vertebral fracture and its value in recognizing high-risk individuals

Vertebral fracture, the hallmark of osteoporosis, usually occurs in postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density [BMD]. The aim this study was to determine which BMD parameter can best predict women at high risk of fracture. BMD values at the spine and femoral neck were compared in 34 women with vertebral fracture and 34 controls. Mean BMD [g/cm[2]], T-score, and Z-score values at both femoral neck and spine were significantly lower in the fracture than the nonfracture group. Z-score was more sensitive than BMD T-score for detecting low bone mass. T-score was not sensitive enough to identify low BMD in the spine, whereas the femoral neck T-score could recognize women at high risk of fracture with higher accuracy