training program in cross-cultural psychiatric assessment

In Australia, as in many countries, cultural and§linguistic diversity poses particular challenges for§mental health professionals assessing clients from§diverse cultures. Previous research shows§cross-cultural differences in manifestations of§mental disorders are associated with disparities in§mental health service provision. The 5-stage project §reported in this book is guided by a program logic§framework. Context analysis of population and mental§health data shows disparities in treated prevalence§for mental disorder, involuntary admission, and§diagnosis of clients from ethnic communities. A§training needs analysis shows clinicians' confidence§in cross-cultural mental state assessments was§relatively low. To enhance the cross-cultural§clinical competence of crisis assessment teams a§training program in Cross-cultural Psychiatric§Assessment is developed and delivered. Outcome and§impact evaluations examine knowledge acquisition,§confidence on clinical assessment instruments,§transfer to practice, community contact frequency.§and hospital admissions. Cross-cultural mental§health educators will find of value both the training§program and the evaluation methodology.