Cultural Humility and Competence in Veterinary Medicine: A Lifelong Journey
Mariel Hendricks, MVEd, RVTg, FVTE
Alyssa Mages, BS, CVT, FVTE
In today’s world, veterinary medicine must embrace cultural awareness as an essential component of our professional practice(s). Cultural humility and competence are not just buzzwords, they are pivotal to fostering trust, building meaningful relationships, and providing equitable care for clients, their animals, and colleagues.
In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of cultural humility, highlight the importance of lifelong learning, discuss why mistakes are part of the process, and emphasize how conversation and self-reflection can create a more inclusive veterinary workplace.
What is Cultural Humility?
Cultural humility is a mindset and lifelong journey that emphasizes openness, curiosity, and self-awareness when engaging with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Unlike cultural competence, which often focuses on acquiring specific knowledge about various cultural groups, cultural humility prioritizes acknowledging one’s limitations and the willingness to learn from others.
At its core, cultural humility involves:
Recognizing and challenging power imbalances: Understanding that every interaction—whether with a client, team member, or student—exists within a broader social and historical context of inequities.
Lifelong learning and critical self-reflection: Viewing cultural humility as an ongoing process, not a destination.
Mutual respect and partnership: Approaching conversations and relationships with the intent to listen, validate, and grow.
A key study by Tervalon and Murray-García (1998) introduced the concept of cultural humility, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and collaboration over mastering a checklist of cultural facts. This perspective has become increasingly relevant in fields like veterinary medicine, where diversity among clients, colleagues, and communities continues to grow.
Why Cultural Humility Matters in Veterinary Medicine
As veterinary professionals, we serve a diverse population of clients and animals, each with unique cultural contexts. Whether it’s understanding a client’s financial constraints, respecting cultural attitudes toward animal care, or navigating communication styles, cultural humility equips us to meet these challenges with empathy and flexibility.
Moreover, within the workplace, cultural humility fosters stronger teams. By embracing diversity, we create environments where everyone feels valued and included, leading to greater collaboration, innovation, and well-being.
Mistakes Will Happen
A common barrier to practicing cultural humility is the fear of making mistakes. However, perfection is not the goal, nor is it realistic. As veterinary professionals, mistakes in navigating cultural dynamics are inevitable, whether it’s a misstep in language, an unconscious bias, or a lack of awareness about someone’s lived experience.
What matters most is how we respond to those mistakes. Here are some recommendations for how to address them:
Acknowledge the mistake: A simple apology and acknowledgment can go a long way in demonstrating respect and humility. Avoid “I’m sorry, but….” or “I’m sorry if….” and commit to, “I’m sorry.” Full stop.
Learn from the experience: Ask yourself, “What can I do differently next time?” Do the work - research, unlearn, then relearn.
Reaffirm your intent: Show your commitment to improving and understanding.
Normalizing the inevitability of mistakes encourages a culture where team members feel safe to ask questions and grow. However, recognize that there can, and should be consequences for these mistakes; that’s accountability in action.
The Role of Self-Reflection in Cultural Humility
Self-reflection is at the heart of cultural humility. Taking the time to examine our own biases, assumptions, and experiences helps us engage with others more authentically. This process is deeply personal and can be uncomfortable—but it is also profoundly rewarding.
Steps for Effective Self-Reflection
Explore your identity: Consider how your cultural background and experiences shape your worldview. How do they influence your interactions with others?
Seek diverse perspectives: Read, watch, and listen to stories from people whose experiences differ from your own. Try the food, experience the art, and step outside your comfort zone!
Reflect on your practice: Ask yourself, “Am I truly hearing and validating my clients' and colleagues' concerns? Where might I be falling short?”
Invite feedback: Be open to constructive input from others, especially when addressing cultural challenges.
Veterinary-specific DEIB initiatives, like Pawsibilities, PrideVMC, ChapterVIII, MCVMA, and DVMC are great areas to get started when educating ourselves. These, combined with ongoing education like Purdue’s DEI Certificate Program or BlendVet’s DEIB certifications, can help veterinary professionals improve their interactions with diverse populations.
Validating Emotions and Building Trust
In this profession, we often focus on clinical skills and technical expertise. However, cultural humility requires us to go deeper—to engage with our clients and colleagues empathically; activating our emotional intelligence or EQ over our IQ. Ensuring we validate others’ emotions and experiences is key to fostering trust and respect.
How to Validate Emotions Effectively:
Listen actively: Pay attention to both words and body language. Show that you are present in the conversation. Lean into the conversation, literally.
Acknowledge feelings: Simple phrases like “That sounds really difficult” or “I understand why you feel that way” can make someone feel seen and heard.
Avoid judgment: Resist the urge to compare, dismiss, or minimize someone’s experiences. Instead, affirm their perspective as valid.
By validating emotions, we create a safe space for open dialogue and collaboration.
Creating Open Conversations on Cultural Awareness
Cultural awareness and competence are not solitary pursuits—they are collective goals that require open, honest dialogue. Veterinary leaders and mentors play a vital role in facilitating these conversations within their teams and communities.
Tips for Opening Conversations:
Model vulnerability: Share your learning journey, including mistakes you’ve made and what you’ve learned from them.
Set ground rules: Foster a respectful environment by establishing norms like active listening, no interruptions, and confidentiality.
Incorporate training: Provide resources and workshops on cultural humility and awareness.
Encourage diverse voices: Make space for team members from different backgrounds to share their perspectives. Be very conscious of what voice is setting the tone for these conversations.
These conversations will be challenging, but we can do hard things! Beyond that, they are crucial for building a more inclusive and equitable veterinary profession. The journey toward humility starts with first taking a step, and if you’re reading this, then you’re already on your way. Keep going. Don’t stop. This profession, and our communities, are counting on us all. So, what are you waiting for?
A Call to Action: Embracing Cultural Humility Together
Cultural humility is not about checking a box or reaching an endpoint—it’s about committing to a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and connection. As veterinary leaders, mentors, and professionals, we have a responsibility to model this mindset and inspire others to do the same.
Here are three actions you can take today:
Start with yourself: Reflect on your own cultural identity and areas for growth. Commit to ongoing education and self-awareness.
Start with yourself: Reflect on your own cultural identity and areas for growth. Commit to ongoing education and self-awareness.
Engage your team: Facilitate discussions about cultural awareness and competence. Share resources and create learning opportunities.
Be an ally: Use your position of influence to advocate for inclusivity, challenge bias, and support marginalized voices.
Together, we can create a veterinary profession that celebrates diversity, embraces humility, and prioritizes human connection.
Final Thoughts
Cultural humility is not always easy, but it is always worth it. By normalizing mistakes, practicing self-reflection, validating others’ emotions, and fostering open conversations, we can build a veterinary community that is compassionate, inclusive, and adaptable.
Let’s embark on this journey together—one conversation, one reflection, and one relationship at a time.
References
Tervalon, M., & Murray-García, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9(2), 117-125. doi:10.1353/hpu.2010.0233
https://nccc.georgetown.edu/curricula/culturalcompetence.html
https://npin.cdc.gov/pages/cultural-competence-health-and-human-services
https://ready.web.unc.edu/section-1-foundations/module-8/ - This is the reference site for the cultural competency pyramid image/.