Cultural Diversity and Competency in Healthcare

Course overview

This 1-hour course provides healthcare clinicians with an overview of cultural diversity and competency in healthcare. Participants will review the meaning of cultural competence, including awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills, and how culture can influence communication, trust, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes. The course also covers implicit bias, stereotyping, language barriers, health literacy, socioeconomic factors, and common barriers to culturally competent care. Emphasis is placed on respectful communication, individualized care, reducing bias, and using tools such as the LEARN model and Kleinman's Explanatory Model to support culturally responsive, patient-centered care. By the end of this course, participants will be better prepared to recognize cultural and linguistic barriers, reflect on personal bias, communicate more effectively with diverse patients, support patient-centered decision-making, and contribute to a healthcare environment that promotes dignity, respect, equity, and quality care for all patients.