Sorting It Out: Cultural Competency and Healthcare Literacy in the World Today

Healthcare literacy and cultural competence are necessary components in keeping patients informed. Nurses are the foundation of healthcare and pivotal in creating trusting relationships with patients by sharing information. Respect is key in developing a tailored approach to individuals' healthcare literacy and nurses' cultural competence. In practice, the consequence of understanding healthcare literacy and being culturally competent should not be understated. Whether on a mission trip to another country or working in a clinic in the United States, diverse cultures abound. While a person from a particular culture may have some of the same beliefs of others in a culture, the breadth of expression of culture, personal beliefs, and worldview may be vastly different. Humans express themselves in unique ways even within cultures. Seeking ways to understand one another is vital not only in healthcare but in all aspects of life.