Effective methods of engaging with black and minority ethnic communities within health care settings

There is evidence to show that poor engagement between service users and health care staff has a negative effect on access to services (Betancourt et al., 2002) and on the development of relationships between service users and professionals (Mir, 2007). The need to reduce inequity and improve access to health care for black and minority ethnic communities has been recognised in recent years with significant development of policies and practices to overcome cultural incompetence and improve engagement (Sproston and Mindell, 2006).The Acheson Inquiry (1998) was a key initiative for putting health inequalities on to the policy agenda. It recommended that policies need to consider and be sensitive to the needs of black and minority ethnic groups in service provision and health care. The recent Darzi Report (2007) also proposed a remedy for health inequalities by making services more accessible to people from these communities. The need for effective communication between health professionals and service users has been emphasised within national policy (DH, 2002). To achieve this aim and provide the best services, an understanding of values and beliefs of different groups, and the way in which these influence expectations and assumptions, is required (Lago and Thompson, 1996).