Commentary: Cultural Adaptation,Collaboration,and Exchange

Abstract

This commentary reviews three articles linked together by two themes (a) the use of cultural adaptation of evidence-based practices to reduce disparities in health and services delivery and (b) the importance of collaboration involving intervention developers, practitioners, and consumers when delivering services. Both themes illustrate a process of cultural exchange, enabling researchers to develop interventions that are more meaningful and acceptable to consumers; providers to develop a stronger therapeutic alliance with consumers; and consumers to develop greater understanding and acceptance of treatment process. Such exchanges lead to improved consumer outcomes and greater satisfaction with services. By serving as a culture broker or change agents, social workers can play a leadership role in the translation of research to practice.

Keywords

translational science evidence-based practice cultural competence social work mental health

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References

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Katon, W. , Von Korff, M. , Lin, E. , Walker, E. , Simon, G.E. , Bush, T. , Robinson, P. , & . . . Russo, J. (1995). Collaborative management to achieve treatment guidelines: impact of depression in primary care. Journal of the American Medical Association, 273, 1026-1031.

Palinkas, L.A. , Aarons, G.A. , Chorpita, B.F. , Hoagwood, K. , Landsverk, J. , & Weisz, J.R. , & the Research Network on Youth Mental Health. (2009). Cultural exchange and the implementation of evidence-based practice: Two case studies . Research on Social Work Practice, 19, 602-612.

Palinkas, L.A. , Allred, C.A. , & Landsverk, J. ( 2005). Models of research-operational collaboration for behavioral health in space. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine , 76, B52-B60.