There are many varied definitions of cultural competence that are used by healthcare organizations and institutions of higher learning. At UMDNJ, cultural competence is defined by a compilation of indicators identified in the following definitions:

1. Cultural competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together as a system, agency or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. The word “culture” is used because it implies the integrated pattern of human behavior that includes thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values and institutions of a racial, ethnic,religious or social group. The word “competence” is used because it implies having the capacity to function effectively.

2. Cultural competence requires that organizations:

• have a defined set of values and principles, and demonstrate behaviors, attitudes,
  policies and structures that enable them to work effectively cross-culturally.

• have the capacity to (1) value diversity, (2) conduct self-assessment, (3) manage the
  dynamics of difference, (4) acquire and institutionalize cultural knowledge and (5) adapt to diversity and the cultural contexts of the communities they serve.

• incorporate the above in all aspects of policy making, administration, practice, service delivery and involve systematically consumers, key stakeholders and communities.

3. Cultural competence: A set of integrated attitudes, knowledge and skills that enable a health care professional or organization to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups and communities.

Cultural Competency Website Resources: Link to top of page

• National Center for Cultural Competence, Georgetown University
  http://gucchd.georgetown.edu//nccc/

• The Provider’s Guide to Quality & Culture
  http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=1.0.htm&module=provider&language=English

• The Center for Linguistic and Cultural Competence in Health Care, Office of Minority
  Health (OMH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
  http://www.omhrc.gov/cultural/

• Bureau of Health Related Professions “Diversity” page, Healthy Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/diversity/default.htm

• The Cross Cultural Health Care Program
  http://www.xculture.org/

• National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
  http://www.ncihc.org/

• Diversity Rx
  http://www.diversityrx.org/

• Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
  http://www.iom.edu/

• Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine
  http://www.med.nyu.edu/cih/

• Program for Multicultural Health (PMCH), University of Michigan Health System (UMHS)
  http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/

• The California Endowment
  http://www.calendow.org/

Hispanic Center of Excellence-UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School Health
Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions,
Division of Health Careers Diversity and Development
http://njms.umdnj.edu/education/specialprogams/access to health
care.pdf



1. Cross TL, Bazron BJ, Dennis KW, Isaacs MR. Towards a Culturally Competent
System of Care: Vol. I. Washington,DC: National Technical Assistance Center for Children's
Mental Health, Georgetown University Child Development Center; 1989.

2. National Center for Cultural Competence, “Conceptual Frameworks/Models, Guiding Values
and Principles,” National Center forCultural Competence, Georgetown University Center for Child
and Human Development, http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/nccc/framework.html#lc
(accessed August 30, 2004).

3. Gilbert, M. Jean, ed. “Principles and Recommended Standards for Cultural
Competence Education of Health Care Professionals.” California Endowment (2003): 11. http://www.calendow.org/reference/publications/pdf/cultural/principles_standards.pdf