Although cultural competence is helpful, she said—“it’s a start”—providers should make an effort to move to cultural humility. Cultural humility is when providers don’t just acknowledge cultural perspectives different from their own, but also acknowledge the privilege they have and reflect on how they approach patient care. Similarly, health literacy should be bi-directional—not just a matter of patients learning about their conditions and symptoms, but one of providers also understanding their patients.
Ms. Gore-Massy addressed the concern that diversity, equity and inclusion has become a “boogeyman,” with some seeming to think that no further progress can be made in this area. That perception is a mistake, she said.
“We do not want to bench diversity, equity and inclusion,” Ms. Gore-Massy said. “We need everyone to become very persistent in understanding that health disparities are still very pervasive.”
Thomas Collins is a freelance medical writer based in Florida.
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