Cultural Humility

TLDR

Diversity is increasingly emphasized in health care, yet the meaning of cultural humility remains unclear and it applies across many social differences as a lifelong process. The aim of this article was to provide a concept analysis and a current definition for the term cultural humility. Cultural humility is defined by attributes of openness, self‑awareness, egolessness, supportive interaction, and self‑reflection, arising from diversity and power imbalance, and leading to mutual empowerment, partnership, respect, optimal care, and lifelong learning. With a firm understanding of the term, individuals and communities will be better equipped to create an inclusive environment that benefits all and delivers optimal care.

Abstract

Diversity is being increasingly recognized as an area of emphasis in health care. The term cultural humility is used frequently but society's understanding of the term is unclear. The aim of this article was to provide a concept analysis and a current definition for the term cultural humility. Cultural humility was used in a variety of contexts from individuals having ethnic and racial differences, to differences in sexual preference, social status, interprofessional roles, to health care provider/patient relationships. The attributes were openness, self-awareness, egoless, supportive interactions, and self-reflection and critique. The antecedents were diversity and power imbalance. The consequences were mutual empowerment, partnerships, respect, optimal care, and lifelong learning. Cultural humility was described as a lifelong process. With a firm understanding of the term, individuals and communities will be better equipped to understand and accomplish an inclusive environment with mutual benefit and optimal care.