Cultural Humility: Fostering Respect and Understanding Your Patient's Unique Identity

What is it?

Cultural humility gives us a greater understanding of cultures that are different from our own and helps us recognize each person’s unique experiences that shape who they are and how they behave in a healthcare situation. It does not require a mastery of lists of different cultures.

Why is it important?

Taking the time to understand and see the unique elements of your patient’s identity versus the way you might automatically categorize them, demonstrates respect for the patient, and can help you give your patients the care they want and the care they need.

Taking the time to understand and see the unique elements of your patient’s identity versus the way you might automatically categorize them, demonstrates respect for the patient, and can help you give your patients the care they want and the care they need.

• Dr. Johnson recently studied Mexican culture and learned that the majority of Mexicans are Catholic.

• One of her patients of Hispanic heritage is struggling with coming to terms with her cancer diagnosis, so Dr. Johnson, who is Catholic herself, requests a Catholic priest to help counsel her without consulting her patient first.

• This patient does not have religious beliefs and feels offended by Dr. Johnson’s assumption.

• If Dr. Johnson had taken an approach that was rooted more in cultural humility, she would have asked her patient questions to gain a better understanding of her personal cultural history, experience, preferences, and beliefs. This would have helped Dr. Johnson identify her patient's needs during the diagnosis and make a more appropriate choice for her patient and improve their ongoing relationship.