Culturally Sensitive Interventions in Pediatric Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review

CONTEXTCulturally sensitive interventions in the pediatric primary care setting may help reduce health disparities. Less is known on the development of these interventions, their target groups, and their feasibility, acceptability, and impact on health outcomes. OBJECTIVEWe conducted a systematic review to describe culturally sensitive interventions developed for the pediatric primary care setting. DATA SOURCESPubMed, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycInfo (January 2000 to July 2020). STUDY SELECTIONStudies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) original research on an intervention with an evaluation, (2) within a pediatric primary care setting, (3) not limited to education for providers, (4) not limited to interpreter use, and (5) based in the United States. DATA EXTRACTIONThe following were extracted: study topic, study design, intervention, cultural sensitivity strategies and terminology, setting, target group, sample size, feasibility, acceptability, and health outcomes. RESULTSTwenty-five studies described 23 interventions targeting a variety of health topics. Multiple cultural sensitivity strategies were used, most commonly sociocultural (83%). Most interventions (57%) were focused on Hispanic/Latino families. Interventions were generally reported as being feasible and acceptable; some also changed health outcomes. LIMITATIONSSmall samples and heterogenous methods subject to bias were used. Relevant articles may have been missed because of the variety of terms used to describe cultural sensitivity. CONCLUSIONSThe included articles provide preliminary evidence that culturally sensitive interventions can be feasible and effective and may help eliminate disparities for patients from communities with barriers to equitable care. In this review, we summarize the design, feasibility, acceptability, and impact on health outcomes of culturally sensitive interventions developed for the pediatric primary care setting.