Abstract
Cultural competence and ethical decision making are two separate, yet intrinsically related concepts which are central to services rendered by all health care professionals. Cultural competence is based on ethical principles and informs ethical decision making. In spite of this important connection, the interrelationship of these two concepts does not receive the attention it deserves in the literature. This issue is addressed by appraising the training and assessment of cultural competence and ethical decision making in the health care professions. The integrated relationship of these two concepts is illustrated within the broader contexts of higher education, research and clinical practice. Health care professionals who incorporate cultural competence and ethical decision making will be empowered to provide the best services to their clients/ patients in multicultural contexts to ensure optimum outcomes.
Highlights
Cultural competence and ethical decision making are two separate, yet intrinsically related concepts which are central to services rendered by all health care professionals
In conclusion cultural competence and ethical decision making are both based on respect for and understanding of the different values that clients/patients and health care professionals give to various moral domains
It is clear that ethical sensitivity, the crucial first step in making ethical decisions, is interwoven with cultural competence
Summary
Cultural competence and ethical decision making are two separate, yet intrinsically related concepts which are central to services rendered by all health care professionals. The importance of cultural competence for health care professionals has been formalized by the inclusion thereof in professional codes of ethics, such as stated in e.g. the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Code of Ethics, Cf. the Ref [1] These codes require competent services be provided to all populations and recognition of the cultural/linguistic and life experiences. Provision of culturally appropriate services to individuals and their families is a basic role of all health care professionals, which requires cultural competence and ethical conduct This is only possible when health care professionals are educated and trained in developing cultural competence, ethical practice, and continue to increase their effectiveness through clinical experiences and continuing education. An overview of the constructs of ethical decision making and cultural competence are provided, and their interconnectedness is described in three contexts relevant to health care professionals as illustrated in figure 1, namely higher education, research and clinical practice
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