According to experts in the field of culture and medicine, cultural competence is a process whereby one:
• Develops an understanding one’s own culture;
• Becomes more sensitive to and appreciative of other cultures;
• Acquires knowledge and understanding of other cultures’ values and beliefs; and,
• Applies the knowledge^[3]

Others state that cultural competence is
• Being aware of and accepting cultural differences;
• Understanding one’s own cultural values;
• Realizing that cultures vary in how they communicate, behave, interpret and problem solve;
• Accepting that cultural beliefs influence how a patient interacts with the health care system; and,
• Being willing to adapt one’s own behavior to provide the best care for the patient[4].

Definitions of cultural competence vary. Most agree, however, that it includes the following components:

Cultural competence is…
a. learned
b. based on understanding how one’s own culture influences interactions with others
c. about learning about the racial/ethnic group(s) served
d. a willingness to adapt for the mutual benefit of the practitioner and the patient
e. expected of individuals and organizations
f. a process of becoming, not an accomplishment^[15]

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