Latinos en Optometry, VSP Vision launch blog series

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Latinos en Optometry and VSP Vision have worked together to launch a new blog series focused on enhancing cultural competency.¹ The series titled “Cultural Responsiveness” is intended to inform both existing and prospective practitioners of the importance of providing health care services that are responsive to social, cultural, and linguistic requirements of patients treated, according to a news release.

“A culturally responsive healthcare practice recognizes and addresses the health beliefs, practices, and the language and cultural needs of patients and communities,” said Diana Canto-Sims, OD, cofounder of Latinos en Optometry, in the release. “Optometrists, optical personnel and optometry students must comprehend how diversity impacts care and influences outcomes to ensure optimal vision and eye health for all.”

Contributors within the field of optometry and other external backgrounds will explore subjects that will help enhance readers’ understanding of cultural competence and responsiveness for the blog series every month.¹

“Through this collaboration, optometrists can access tools and resources to help strengthen cultural understanding, connection, and communication with their patients to support better health outcomes” said VSP Vision Chief Provider and Industry Solutions Officer Michelle Skinner in the release.

The first blog series post is written by Marvin Davenport, vice president and chief diversity officer of VSP Vision, who touches on cultural competence, arguing that it drives trust between doctors and patients. “Cultural competence is an asset across many areas of life, and it’s a professional necessity for optometrists and all practice staff,” Davenport wrote. “As healthcare providers, cultural competence helps clinicians and practice owners respond to demographic diversity in their own patient populations, understand and respond to social determinants of health or health disparities, and ensure high quality engagement with patients.”

Davenport states that putting cultural competence first provides inclusive-centered care and promote positive health care experiences, which can help establish annual eye examinations and the seeking out of preventative care in part of a patient’s personal health care initiatives. He states that being humble, taking cultural competence courses, and running brainstorming session with staff can help spearhead cultural competence in your practice.¹

“Striving to be culturally responsive is an antidote to stereotyping, where biases might lead to assumptions about a patient’s cultural and socio-economic background and obstruct your ability to serve their eye care needs,” Davenport said. “Practice owners or practice managers set the tone for cultural responsiveness. By placing emphasis on cultural responsiveness, and aligning those values with how your practice operates, you can create a welcoming environment for both patients and staff.”

References:

1. Latinos en Optometry and VSP Vision launch new blog series focused on enhancing cultural competency. News release. Latinos en Optometry. March 3, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://latinosenoptometry.org/latinos-en-optometry-vsp-vision-launch-new-blog-series-focused-on-enhancing-cultural-competency/

2. Davenport M. Cultural responsiveness in practice. Latinos en Optometry. March 4, 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025. https://latinosenoptometry.org/cultural-responsiveness-in-practice/