The library, as part of Midwestern University, is dedicated to effect change, overcome inequities, promote greater diversity, and establish a culture of inclusivity that celebrates diversity. We pledge our commitment to undo inequities that exist in policies and practices, advance values of diversity and inclusion, and to create a truly equitable environment for faculty, staff, and students.
The information shared on this healthcare guide is not comprehensive nor reflective of all available materials. For more information:
Every patient brings their own personal, cultural, emotional, and physical history into every interaction. It is unlikely that any practitioner will become truly culturally competent. Other, more appropriate terms include cultural humility, cultural effectiveness, and cultural responsiveness. This guide includes tools to help pratitioners become more culturally effective. Tabs in the guide focus on race, ethnicity and culture, sexual and gender identity, and physical and mental disabilities.
Looking for articles on cultural competence, humility, effectiveness, or responsiveness?
The best databases are Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, ERIC (education), and Medline.
Want to search them all at once?
Use EBSCOhost and select All Databases.
According the the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services--
Culture. Attitudes and behaviors that are characteristic of a group or community.
Cultural Competence. A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.
Health Literacy. The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
Diversity and Inclusion in Quality Patient Care by 
Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Context, Controversies, and Solutions by 
Medical Management of Vulnerable and Underserved Patients 2E (Lange) by 
Strategies for Ensuring Diversity, Inclusion, and Meaningful Participation in Clinical Trials: Proceedings of a Workshop by 
Sex Matters : How Male-Centric Medicine Endangers Women's Health and What We Can Do About It by 
We Can't Talk about That at Work! How to Talk About Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics by 
Cultural Competence: A Lifelong Journey to Cultural Proficiency by 
Patient Practitioner Interaction: An Experiential Manual for Developing the Art of Health Care by 
Handbook of Multicultural Measures by 
What If I Say the Wrong Thing? : 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People by 
Integrating Health Literacy, Cultural Competence, and Language Access Services by Downers Grove Campus Library (630) 515-6200
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