How does the American Medical Association define cultural competence?

The American Medical Association defines cultural competence as the ability to effectively interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. This involves not only awareness of one’s own cultural biases but also the development of interpersonal skills that enable healthcare providers to communicate and care for patients from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Being culturally competent means recognizing and respecting the differences in beliefs, values, and practices among patients, which can significantly impact their health outcomes. It encompasses understanding how culture influences a patient’s understanding of health and illness, as well as their response to medical care.

This competency is essential in healthcare settings, as it helps providers to bridge the gap between different cultural perspectives, fostering trust and improving the overall patient experience. In contrast, options that focus solely on medical technology, procedures, or limiting communication to common languages do not encompass the full scope of cultural competence, which is fundamentally about understanding and embracing diversity in patient care.