Perceptions of Physicians Regarding Organizational Culture and Their Ability to Deliver Culturally Competent Care
Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
Committee Chair
Alyncia Bowen
Committee Member
Mary Bynum
Committee Member
Dearis Hoard
Abstract
This qualitative dissertation examined how physicians at Test Hospital perceive the organizational culture and how these perceptions impact their ability to deliver culturally competent care. The primary research question that guided the study was: What are the perceptions of Test Hospital physicians regarding organizational culture and their ability to deliver culturally competent care? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 board-certified physicians across varied specialties. Using AI-guided thematic analysis, six key themes arose: (a) understanding of cultural competency, (b) learning cultural competence over time, (c) impact of organizational culture, (d) barriers to delivering culturally competent care, (e) value of shared cultural background, and (f) desire for organizational support and training. The findings revealed that physicians displayed a dedication to culturally responsive care, often influenced by their lived experiences, empathy, and community bonds rather than formal training. While institutional values emphasize equality, physicians reported encountering limited administrative support and variable leadership support. The findings further indicate a disconnect between the hospital’s stated mission of equity and the organizational realities of medical practices. Systemic barriers, including time constraints, fragmented guidance, and emotional restrictions, limited their ability to deliver culturally competent care. The findings suggest that, ultimately, culturally competent care must be institutionally supported, not just individually sustained. Equity of care necessitates partnerships among organizational values, leadership performance, and administrative collaboration. Recommendations include observed training models, leadership and administrative accountability, and formal recognition of empathy and community knowledge as essential mechanisms in the delivery of culturally competent care.
Recommended Citation
Adely, Mary, "Perceptions of Physicians Regarding Organizational Culture and Their Ability to Deliver Culturally Competent Care" (2025). All Doctoral Student Dissertations. 226.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/docpub/226
