Ethics

Cultural Humility: A Successful Communication Tool

Michelle Grant Ervin, MD MHPE FACEP

Cultural humility is a way of being. Rather than focusing on use of cultural humility with people of a particular ethnicity or race, all patients and their family members should have an opportunity to share their values and information about their personal history with their caregivers. Cultural competence builds trust and is a patient-centered approach to communication for providers, as well as an opportunity to learn.