Sue Shaffer Learning Commons and Library: Guides: Nursing: Evidence-Based Practice: Cultural Competence

References

Arkansas Open Educational Resources (OER). (2021, August 27). Video 1: What is cultural competence? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsWbODQiDWs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Ed.). (2024, June 24). Cultural competence in health and human services. National Prevention Information Network. https://npin.cdc.gov/pages/cultural-competence-health-and-human-services#what

What is Cultural Competence?

Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations. 'Culture' refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups. 'Competence' implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities. (Adapted from Cross, 1989).

Principles of cultural competence include:

Define culture broadly.
Value clients' cultural beliefs.
Recognize complexity in language interpretation.
Facilitate learning between providers and communities.
Involve the community in defining and addressing service needs.
Collaborate with other agencies.
Professionalize staff hiring and training.
Institutionalize cultural competence.

Cultural Competence In Health And Human Services

Web Resources for Cultural Competence in Nursing

American Indian and Alaska Native Health
On this page, you'll find links to health issues that affect American Indians and Alaska Native. From the National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus.
Cleveland Clinic Diversity Toolkit
This toolkit is designed as a resource for improving interpersonal relations, increasing understanding, and furthering world class service for a diverse patient population. By heightening awareness, enhancing communication and developing better cultural competence we keep patients first.
The Cross Cultural Health Care Program
The Cross Cultural Health Care Program (CCHCP) is a nonprofit training and consulting organization founded in 1992. Our mission is to serve as a bridge between communities and health care institutions to advance access to quality health care that is culturally and linguistically appropriate.
EthnoMed
EthnoMed aims to be a convenient source for social and cultural details relevant to clinical care. EthnoMed was developed through relationships between programs at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and several of the larger ethnic communitie. The website intends to provide cultural context when working with immigrants and refugees in our area. It is also an entree to “cross-cultural” practice.
Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence
The mission of the NCCC is to increase the capacity of health care and mental health care programs to design, implement, and evaluate culturally and linguistically competent service delivery systems to address growing diversity, persistent disparities, and to promote health and mental health equity.
Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services , is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized tribes grew out of the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Find patient and continuing education materials.
National CLAS Standards
The National CLAS Standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by establishing a blueprint for health and health care organizations.
Transcultural Nursing Society
The mission of the Transcultural Nursing Society (TCNS) is to enhance the quality of culturally congruent, competent, and equitable care that results in improved health and well being for people worldwide.