Providing Culturally Competent Care

In the healthcare setting, cultural competence refers to the ability to provide appropriate and effective medical care to members of various cultural groups. RTs provide care to patients/clients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviours. A practitioner therefore must become competent in providing equitable care though the process of gaining a congruent set of behaviours and attitudes.  This progression begins with an awareness of the how diversity manifests itself and what impact it has on the provision of healthcare. Providing culturally competent care will allow the RT to provide optimal care for all patients/clients and maintain compliance with laws and recommendations.