Current activities in orthopaedic culturally competent care education

Culturally competent care education, which involves educating physicians on being sensitive to the diverse characteristics and traits of each patient (eg, race, ethnicity, sex, faith background), is vital for the well-being of all patients. All medical disciplines are grappling with the best way to provide culturally competent care education. The Diversity Advisory Board of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is charged with advancing diversity in the field of orthopaedic surgery. Diversity symposia were presented at the 2005 and 2006 Annual Meetings. In 2006, the AAOS developed the Cultural Competency Challenge CD-ROM, followed in 2007 by the Culturally Competent Care Guidebook, a companion to the CD-ROM. Culturally competent care legislation has been enacted in California and New Jersey, and legislation is pending in Arizona, Illinois, New York, and Texas, making these resources even more timely. To best care for all patients, each physician must be aware of his or her own identity and be sensitive to the unique realities of each patient with whom the physician comes into contact.