The United States is a melting pot of people from every age, gender, race, ethnicity, and minority. In fact, 2020 Census data shows that more than 40% of Americans today belong to one or more racial and ethnic groups. As communities grow more diverse, cultural competence is no longer optional—it’s essential.

What Is Cultural Competence?

Initially introduced in the 1980s, “cultural competence” is a term most have only recently heard about. In the health space, it refers to the ability to provide care to people with different values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices, including personalizing delivery to meet unique social, cultural, and linguistic needs. A culturally competent healthcare provider respects these differences and actively understands, communicates, and connects with patients across cultures.

Importance of Cultural Competence in Healthcare

Some individuals feel uncomfortable at hospitals or clinics due to discrimination experienced at a personal or community level, language or miscommunication issues, or cultural dissimilarities. This uneasiness—whether by itself or along with barriers like cost or accessibility—may thwart racial and ethnic groups from receiving healthcare.

Providers who acknowledge these barriers can build trust, increase patient satisfaction, improve health outcomes, and contribute to eliminating disparities in care.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the principles of cultural competence include the following:

• Openness to a broad definition of culture: Culture comprises ethnicity and factors such as language, religion, and social norms.
• Respect cultural beliefs: Providers must value each patient’s unique perspective without judgment.
• Acknowledge the complexity of language interpretation: Around 20% of limited English proficient patients (LEPPs) would not seek care due to fear of miscommunication and misunderstandings. Trained interpreters ensure an accurate and respectful exchange of information between LEPPs and providers.
• Encourage learning between providers and communities: Create opportunities for providers and patients to learn about each other. For example, a clinic serving a predominantly Hispanic community can host a health fair with bilingual staff, traditional health practitioners, and discussions about common health concerns in that community.
• Engage communities in shaping care: Attend local events, aim for open conversations during health consults, or reach out to community members to identify their specific challenges, preferences, and cultural practices.
• Work with other agencies: Partner with community groups and public health agencies to address complex health challenges with a comprehensive approach.
• Commit to professional training: Develop culturally competent teams through hiring and education.
• Institutionalization: Make cultural competence a foundational element across all levels of care delivery.

How Cultural Competency Improves Health Outcomes

When medical professionals embrace cultural competence, they can achieve:

• Effective and appropriate communication
• Increased trust between patients and providers
• Stronger patient safety and engagement
• Fewer care disparities
• Better health outcomes
• A more positive and personalized patient experience
• Enhanced provider satisfaction and confidence

   

Cultural competence breaks down barriers and clears the path for effective communication. The U.S. healthcare system can enhance its capacity to serve diverse communities by implementing interpreter services and building diverse teams with multilingual professionals who have:

• A genuine inquisitiveness and desire to learn about the diverse cultures and worldviews of their patients
• A clear understanding of their own culture, as it’s difficult to understand someone else’s culture if you do not know your own
• An inclusive mindset that respects differences and values each person’s experiences
• An eagerness to lead and heal with compassion

   

Culturally competent healthcare providers create a space where LEPPs, refugees, immigrants, or asylum seekers feel understood, valued, and supported. They bridge gaps, encouraging patients to express their concerns, beliefs, and values without fear of judgment.

The Bottom Line

Some ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes, revealed the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This disparity encompasses preventive healthcare, such as routine doctor’s appointments or recommended cancer screenings. Whether the barrier is rooted in language, beliefs, or traditions, the result is a disconnect that affects the quality of care.

At Revive Community Health, we do our part to help our patients live healthier lives by making healthcare more welcoming and accessible to all.

Cultural Competency at Revive Community Health

Cultural competence is a skillset and mindset. It requires setting aside personal assumptions about what is “normal” or “common” and learning to see the world through a completely different lens.

Revive Community Health guarantees healthcare experiences where every adult and child feels seen, understood, and supported. To us, achieving equitable care means building a team that echoes the diversity of the communities we serve and truly understanding their needs. Our providers specialize in immigration medical exams, wound care, personal injuries, transitional care, and more, with a focus on culturally responsive health services. If you have additional questions, you may call us at (480) 573-6942 to speak with our multilingual staff members, or use our appointment booking tool to consult one of our providers. Rest assured we will connect you with a professional who understands your needs.