Cultural Competence Training Isn't Associated with Better Diabetes Outcomes

Clinician training in cultural competence sometimes is required by institutions, but evidence about whether such training improves patient outcomes is limited. In a randomized Massachusetts trial that involved 124 clinicians on 31 primary care teams, investigators evaluated how cultural competence training affected diabetes care disparities among 2699 black patients and 4858 white patients. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants received 2 days of training, and physicians joined on day 2. Training consisted of lectures, group discussions, and community engagement activities (including meetings with black patients).

At baseline, processes of care were similar for black and white patients (examination of glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA_1c], …