What Has the Literature Taught Us About Culturally Competent Care of Women and Children

In Brief This article describes what is currently in the literature about culturally competent care for women and children. With the population of the United States growing increasingly diverse, there is a developing need for cultural competency among nurses and throughout healthcare organizations. Cultural competence includes both culture-specific and culture-generic knowledge, attitudes, and skills. While databased literature on cultural competency still requires further development, we do have evidence of positive outcomes of culturally competent care. The end result of the provision of culturally competent care by culturally competent nurses and healthcare organizations can be significant improvements in the health and well-being of women and children. What does it mean to practice in a culturally competent manner? Dr. Callister, a world-class expert in this field, has reviewed this literature, helping us stay up-to-the minute on how to provide culturally competent care in an increasingly complex world.