Moving Forward Towards a Positive Ethical Healthcare Climate in a Multicultural Context

Many countries around the globe are experiencing a demographic shift in their populations, due to several factors, including immigration, acculturation, mobility of workforces and so forth. These factors have contributed to the creation of multicultural environments characterized by differences in cultures, values, beliefs, ethical and moral perspectives, and languages, as well as historical, political and economic circumstances of their members. In healthcare settings, such diversity and the associated socio-political factors can pose ethical challenges for healthcare providers, and patients and their families alike. Almutairi’s model of critical cultural competence (CCC) is a promising approach designed to address the complexities that arise during cross-cultural interactions in healthcare settings. Healthcare settings are imbued with socio-political challenges related to class, racialization, poverty and gender. The ultimate goal of CCC is to provide a positive ethical climate that promotes cultural and physical safety as well as equity in health care environments. CCC approach can influence organizational policy, healthcare professional orientation and continuous professional educational initiatives.