What it means
The understanding that people from different cultures may see health, illness, family, food, touch and death in different ways, together with respect for those differences. It means not assuming that a person's culture is the same as one's own, and not stereotyping people from any group. It is one step toward culturally competent care.
For the nurse
Ask clients about their beliefs, practices and preferences rather than guessing from their background. Use a trained medical interpreter, not a family member, when the client prefers another language.
Related terms
holistic care
Care that looks after the whole person: body, mind, emotions, relationships and spiritual needs.
cultural awareness
Knowing one's own cultural values, beliefs and biases, and that others may see things differently.
cultural humility
A lifelong habit of self-reflection and learning in which the nurse treats each client as the expert on their own culture.