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CDE Appendix 1 Literature Review - Central East Local Health ...

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The Culture, Diversity and Equity Project: <strong>Literature</strong> <strong>Review</strong><br />

Towards a definition of Cultural Competence<br />

Definitions of cultural competence vary in regards to (1) the extent to which they include levels of analyses beyond<br />

the individual level (e.g. considering agency and system-levels of analysis and practice); (2) whether they describe<br />

cultural competency in static or dynamic terms (as an ongoing process); and (3) the scope of diversity groups and<br />

cultural practices considered or implied under the umbrella of cultural competence.<br />

The most widely cited and adapted definition of cultural competence is that of Cross et al. (1989), who define<br />

cultural competence as “a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together in a system or<br />

agency or among professionals that enables that system, agency, or professionals to work effectively in crosscultural<br />

situations” (Cross, Bazron, Dennis, & Isaacs, 1989). 9 Notably, this definition informs the (2001)<br />

National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) issued by the US Department of<br />

<strong>Health</strong> and Human Services’ Office of Minority <strong>Health</strong>.<br />

Other definitions of cultural competence addressing agency/system-levels of analysis include the following:<br />

• The ability of systems to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors, including tailoring<br />

delivery to meet patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs (Betancourt, 2002).<br />

• “The ability of organizations and systems to function and perform effectively in cross-cultural situations”<br />

(Vancouver Ethnocultural Advisory Committee of Ministry for Children and Families, 1998; GTA Diversity<br />

and LHINS Working Group, 2008a).<br />

• “Behaviors, attitudes, and policies that can come together on a continuum: that will ensure that a system agency,<br />

program or individual can function effectively and appropriately in diverse cultural interactions and settings”<br />

(US Department of <strong>Health</strong> and Human Services, 2002).<br />

• “Ongoing commitment or institutionalization of appropriate practices and policies for diverse populations”<br />

(Brach and Fraser, 2000).<br />

• “The ability to demonstrate skills and knowledge which enable a person to work effectively across cultures; the<br />

ability to provide mental health treatment within the cultural framework of the consumer; the ability to provide<br />

effective services to people of a specific cultural background, including one different from the provider”<br />

(Substance Abuse and Mental <strong>Health</strong> Services Administration, 1997, p.27).10<br />

Michael Goh (2005) describes the Substance Abuse and Mental <strong>Health</strong> Services Administration’s definition<br />

as ‘the most comprehensive definition of cultural competence’ to date.<br />

Another comprehensive definition of cultural competence is offered by the Cultural competence workgroup for the<br />

projects for assistance in transition from homelessness. They define cultural competence as:<br />

an ongoing and evolving process that comprises knowledge attainment and the development of<br />

behaviors, attitudes, policies, and practices that come together in a system of care enabling agencies,<br />

programs, and individuals to increase access to services and to develop or adapt services that are<br />

appropriate to specific cultural needs (2002, Report of the Cultural Competence Workgroup for the<br />

Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness).<br />

9 The original 75 page monograph published by the Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) National Technical<br />

Assistance Center at the Georgetown University Child Development Center was entitled Towards A Culturally Competent System of<br />

Care, Volume I: A Monograph on Effective Services for Minority Children Who Are Severely Emotionally. Cross et al.’s (1989) definition<br />

also informs a recent (2005a) Canadian study by Olavarria et al. entitled Standards of Organizational Cultural Competence for<br />

Community <strong>Health</strong> and Social Service Organizations.<br />

10 Michael Goh (2005) describes the Substance Abuse and Mental <strong>Health</strong> Services Administration’s definition as ‘the most<br />

comprehensive definition of cultural competence’ to date.<br />

36

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