Why Cultural Competence Matters in Healthcare
One size does not fit all, especially in healthcare! In today’s diverse world, cultural competence in healthcare is essential part of the care not a bonus! When health care professionals take time to understand and respect the cultural backgrounds of their patients, something powerful happens: communication improves, patients feel seen, heard, and more willing to engage in their care. Moreover, culturally competent care strengthens the foundation of patient-centered care by considering individuals’ values, needs, and lived experiences. It also helps reduce the impact of unconscious bias, which can lead to unequal treatment and erode trust in the healthcare system. (2) Cultural competence refers to the combination of knowledge, attitudes, and practices that allow healthcare professionals to deliver effective care to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, with the goal of minimizing health disparities and enhancing outcomes. (4)
Recognizing and addressing cultural differences helps break down barriers that often prevent people from accessing care, such as language barriers, fear of discrimination, or unfamiliarity with the healthcare system. Cultural competence in healthcare not only improves patient safety and satisfaction but also plays a critical role in reducing health disparities across communities. Cultural competence improves healthcare delivery by fostering better communication, trust, and patient outcomes, especially among ethnic minorities and diverse populations. (3)
To improve culturally competent care it is recommended matching patients with care providers who speak their language or share cultural backgrounds often improves satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Incorporating culturally familiar concepts, like traditional sayings or imagery, can also strengthen engagement and trust. This highlights that culturally responsive care isn’t just about translation—it’s about creating meaningful connections that respect and reflect the patient’s lived experience. Creating culturally competent healthcare doesn’t stop at the individual level it also requires organizational commitment across the healthcare system. One effective strategy is to train health professionals to better understand and respond to cultural differences. Human resource development plays a key role. Programs that support the integration of internationally educated nurses and midwives have shown high satisfaction rates and strong retention. Interpreter services and community health workers are also vital in bridging gaps, especially in managing chronic conditions and health promotion programs. (1)
Here are a few practical ways healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can continue building cultural competence in their daily work (2)
While cultural competence has been foundational part of the care, there is now a clear need to move toward cultural humility and cultural safety concepts that offer deeper, more responsive ways to address inequities and build truly inclusive care. Cultural humility is the practice of approaching every patient with openness and curiosity. Instead of assuming we understand someone’s background or beliefs, we take time to listen and learn. In healthcare, this means asking questions, being present, and letting patients guide us in understanding what’s important to them. Cultural safety goes hand in hand with cultural humility. It’s about creating an environment where patients feel respected, valued, and safe, not just physically, but emotionally and culturally. It means acknowledging the power dynamics in healthcare and working to remove barriers that might make someone feel excluded or misunderstood. When patients feel culturally safe, they are more likely to speak up, ask questions, and actively engage in their care. Together, cultural humility and safety help us move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. They remind us that every patient brings their own story, and that culturally safe care starts with listening, learning, and building trust. (2)
- Self-reflection: Take time to examine your own cultural assumptions and how they may influence your interactions.
- Active listening: Ask open-ended questions and truly listen to what matters most to your patients.
- Stay curious and open: Seek out opportunities to learn from different communities and perspectives.
- Advocate for change: Support policies and practices that promote equity, inclusion, and culturally safe care.
Let’s build together a health system that is inclusive for all!
References:
1.Handtke O, Schilgen B, Mösko M (2019) Culturally competent healthcare – A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision. PLOS ONE 14(7): e0219971. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219971
2.So, N., Price, K., O’Mara, P., & Rodrigues, M. A. (2023). The importance of cultural humility and cultural safety in health care. Medical Journal of Australia, 220(1), 12–13. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52182
3.Alsharari, R. A., Alofi, H. I., Alrashedi, F., AL-Rashedi, O., Albelewi, A., Aljohni, M. S., Alazhari, O., Alharbi, H., Hafidhi, E., & Mariee, A. A. (2024). Effectiveness of Nursing Cultural Competency in Improving Healthcare Care Delivery in Diverse Populations including Ethnic Minorities: An Integrative Review. Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research, 7(2), 327–341. Https://doi.org/10.63278/jicrcr.v7i2.1150
4.Papageorgiou, A., Andreou, P., Constantinou, C. S., & Nikitara, M. (2022). Cultural Competence in Healthcare and Healthcare Education. MDPI – Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-0365-6102-8
University Teacher, International academic coordinator
Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland