The ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is other-oriented (or open to the other) in relation to aspects of cultural identity that are most important to the [person]. Cultural humility focuses on taking responsibility for our interactions with others rather than achieving a state of knowledge or awareness. The approach of cultural humility goes beyond the concept of cultural competence to encourage individuals to identify and acknowledge their own biases. Cultural humility acknowledges that it is impossible to be adequately knowledgeable about cultures other than one’s own. Principles that guide the cultural humility approach:

• lifelong learning and critical self-reflection;
• recognizing and mitigating/challenging power imbalances; and
• institutional accountability to model the principles.

Levi, A. (2009). The ethics of nursing student international clinical experiences. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 38(1), 94-99.

Tervalon, M. & Murray-Garcia, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes inmulticultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117-125.