Application of Principles of Cultural Humility and Gracious Space to Operationalize Cultural Competence

Cultural beliefs and values exert a powerful influence in healthcare as the two concepts are inextricably linked. Culturally diverse patient populations risk poor quality healthcare and outcomes from providers’ misinterpretations, lack of understanding, stereotypes and/or discrimination. The principles of cultural humility and gracious space may support clinicians to be open to learning their patient’s explanatory model of illness so they can design appropriate interventions, while building and enhancing trust in the patient–provider relationship. Cultural humility is operationalized as the provider’s self-awareness, with a willingness to have a respectful approach towards culturally diverse patient views.  It involves self-reflection and self-critique as clinicians are encouraged to develop a respectful partnership with their patients through patient-focused assessment, exploring each patient’s unique explanatory model of illness, health priorities, treatment options and goals. Gracious space is the ability of the clinician to create an environment where courageous, honest, and respectful dialogue can occur between the patient and provider for best interventions and health outcomes. This presentation will describe the use of the principles of cultural humility and gracious space to operationalize cultural competence in the clinical encounter.