Cultural Competence: An Evolutionary Perspective

PROBLEM: The need for conceptual clarity, which is essential for effective communication related to cultural competence. Practice, education, administration, and research are identified. METHODS: Rodgers' (2000) method of concept analysis. FINDINGS: Attributes of cultural competence were identified as cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural understanding, cultural sensitivity, and cultural skill. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural competence can best be identified as a nonlinear dynamic process that is never ending and ever expanding. It is built on increases in knowledge and skill development related to its attributes.