Cultural Competency in Healthcare: A Contemporary Perspective

NOTE: Meets the Nevada BON requirements that took effect January 1, 2022. 

Achieving cultural competency is a dynamic process in which healthcare providers continually develop the knowledge and skills that optimize patient care given the numerous cultural influences that drive healthcare practices in contemporary society. From identifying and optimizing implicit biases and cultural humility to developing culturally sensitive patient care strategies, clinicians must recognize the wide variety of cultures that our patients represent. In addition to race, religion, and ethnicity, cultural influences are implicit in gender identity, sexual orientation, developmental stage across the lifespan, politics, military veterans, persons with physical and mental health disabilities, first responders, and even healthcare providers. Equally important is that not all members of a culture share stereotypical beliefs, and clinicians are best served to make no assumptions. Similarly, very often patients have multiple cultural influences that shape their healthcare practices. This program provides an evidence-based approach to analyzing these multiple cultural influences and factors, preparing clinicians to provide culturally competent care in the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion.