Why Cultural Competency Matters in Healthcare

Canada's population is remarkably diverse. In any given care setting, a healthcare worker might interact with patients from dozens of different cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds. Without cultural competency training, well-meaning professionals can inadvertently cause harm, miscommunicate, or fail to provide appropriate care.

Cultural competency goes beyond simply being 'aware' of different cultures. It's about developing the skills to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries, understanding how cultural beliefs influence health behaviours and decision-making, and adapting care practices to respect individual needs.

For example, some cultures have specific beliefs about end-of-life care, pain management, or the role of family in medical decision-making. A culturally competent caregiver recognizes these nuances and adjusts their approach accordingly — not to impose their own values, but to provide care that feels safe and respectful.

Language barriers are another critical dimension. Patients who can't communicate their symptoms, concerns, or preferences in their first language are at higher risk of medical errors and poor outcomes. Hiring multilingual care providers — or providing interpreter services — is not just good practice, it's essential.

Vi Learn includes cultural competency training as part of our course offerings, helping healthcare workers develop the awareness and practical skills to serve Canada's diverse communities with excellence and empathy.

As Canada continues to welcome newcomers from around the world, cultural competency isn't a nice-to-have skill — it's a foundational requirement for every healthcare professional.