EIIC Strengthens Our Commitment to Social Justice, Equity and Equality

The Montana EMSC developed a Cultural of Care Toolkit to provide resources and training to facilitate the development of cultural competence and humility in one’s self, colleagues, the work environment and its application to practice.

Cultural competence is the ability of health organizations and practitioners to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of diverse populations and to apply the knowledge to produce a positive health outcome.

Cultural Competence is possessing knowledge-based understanding and skills with which to provide culturally acceptable and relevant care with diverse cultures. Cultural Humility is:

• A life-long process of self-reflection that includes being aware of one’s personal beliefs and biases,
• Understanding and recognizing the inherent power imbalances in patient provider communication, and
• Using patient focused care to demonstrate mutual respect and partnership with patients, families, and co-workers.

Cultural competence is grounded in a set of ethical principles that guide continual cultivation of self-awareness, respectful behaviors, and the pursuit of knowledge. The culturally competent health care professional should be a positive role model and provide training to others on cultural competency, as well as open to listening and learning from all. This action creates a collaborative, respectful work environment and a responsive culture of care.

An understanding of cultural diversity, health disparities, health literacy, and cultural competence is vital in providing the best possible interactions with those of which you serve.

This Culture of Care Toolkit provides information and activities that will help increase knowledge on:

• How population data presented by race and ethnicity has contributed to making health disparities a priority in our state and the nation.
• How cultural competence begins with the individual.
• How language and culture influence how we approach health and provide care.
• How Providers and patients/clients bring their unique cultural backgrounds and expectations to the medical encounter.
• How there must be effective communication between patients and providers for quality care to result.

This Culture of Care Toolkit is organized into specific training modules that can be utilized in one-hour segments or in any training time frame that fits the organizations’ specific needs. Each training component, along with a short activity, help to enhance knowledge of providing culturally appropriate care in a practice, service and or facility. A genuine understanding of cultural and patient centered care concepts is critical in treating unique patient populations. Learn more about the toolkit by following this link.