Using CLAS Standards & Cultural Competence to Mitigate Health Disparities

The online training course entitled: “An Introduction to Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) and Minority Health Disparities,” is now available to all users free of charge. The course has been specifically designed to appeal to professionals from all levels of the healthcare environment. All members of the healthcare professions, ranging from nurses, doctors, and PAs to front desk staff and receptionists, may take the course and learn about Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), health disparities, and cultural competency issues surrounding access to care for minority populations, with a specific focus on Mexican American populations.

The course was written by John Bormanis, PhD, a Research Assistant Professor in the University of Arizona’s Department of Family and Community Medicine specializing in the teaching and practice of cultural competence in healthcare settings. The development and writing of this course was underwritten by an Arizona Center of Excellence grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

How to Access the Course

Those wishing to take the course should point in their browser to www.VLH.com. On the right-hand side of the screen, locate the blue “Registration Code” box, and enter the code “2016” on the text field marked, “Enter Registration Code.” After entering the code, users will register an account with the VLH website, then proceed on to the course. The accounting system of www.VLH.com will automatically add a $37.50 credit (for 1.5 units of CME) to the user’s account, and upon completion of the course, users can print out their certificate of completion for 1.5 units of CME (paid for with the $37.50 credit that came with the “2016” code). Alternatively, those who do not require CME units can print out a “Certificate of Completion” after they have finished the course.

For further information, please contact Robert Amend at the University of Arizona Office of Continuing Medical Education at 520-626-4282, or via email at amend@medadmin.arizona.edu.

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