Cultural humility emphasizes an ongoing process of learning about patients’ cultural identities and understanding the impact of culture on health care. Cultural safety involves creating an environment where patients feel respected, understood, and free from discrimination. Physicians who are trained in cultural humility and safety can better establish rapport and trust with patients from diverse backgrounds, leading to improved health care outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Competence in cultural safety is particularly important for working with people from Indigenous communities; people from African, Caribbean, and Black communities; and people from other structurally marginalized groups, all of whom may have had negative experiences with the health care system.
Internationally trained physicians benefit from developing the sensitivity required to approach patients from diverse communities with respect and provide more equitable health care.
The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Examination Objectives describe the attributes expected of medical graduates entering residency in Canada. This resource map is associated with the following Objectives:
This list of objectives reflects the main themes in this resource map and is not exhaustive.
Some of the resources listed below are specific to particular provinces or regions and are not always generalizable to all of Canada. We encourage you to seek out specific resources for your own needs.
Cultural safety
Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) article
Canada’s diversity means that patients and physicians alike come from many different cultures. The physician-patient relationship is strengthened when practising with a multicultural mindset. Culture may affect a patient’s interpretation of symptoms, coping strategies, and approach to health, impacting their level of engagement in care planning, choice of treatment, and adherence to treatment. By missing clues or misunderstanding a patient’s cultural viewpoint, it is possible for healthcare providers to unintentionally offend, or place the diagnosis, adherence to treatment, and health outcomes at risk. This website provides good practice guidance on how to provide culturally safe care.
Read the article (approx. 10 min).
CanMEDS–Family Medicine Indigenous Health Supplement
The College of Family Physicians of Canada supplement
This Indigenous supplement to the CanMEDS-FM 2017 competency framework will help family physicians provide high-quality care that aligns with the needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. This resource outlines critical knowledge and skills needed for effective therapeutic interactions and culturally safe care of Indigenous patients, families, and communities. Each competency reflects the basic format of CanMEDS-FM, focusing on Indigenous-relevant situations and foundational knowledge needed to develop these enabling competencies.
Read the supplement (approx. 20 min).
Social determinants and inequities in health for Black Canadians: A Snapshot
Government of Canada report
This snapshot aims to highlight how Anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination are key drivers of health inequalities faced by diverse Black Canadian communities. Evidence of institutional discrimination in key determinants of health is also presented, including education, income, and housing. Finally, national data is shared demonstrating inequalities in health outcomes and determinants of health. Readers are invited to reflect on how racism and discrimination may contribute to these inequalities.
Read the report (approx. 20 min).
Access to health services as a social determinant of First Nations, Inuit and Métis health
National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health fact sheet
This fact sheet explores how accessibility, availability and acceptability of health services have indirect and direct impacts on Indigenous peoples’ health and health outcomes. Within these three areas, complexities related to colonialism, geography, health systems, health human resources, jurisdictional issues, communications, cultural safety, and traditional medicines are addressed, as they each influence how Indigenous peoples view and experience health care in Canada. The fact sheet concludes by providing strategies and innovations for improving Indigenous peoples’ access to health services.
Read the fact sheet (approx. 30 min).
Culturally Safe Engagement – What Matters to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) Patient Partners?
Health Quality BC infographic
This infographic provides tools to work with patient partners.
Read the infographic (approx. 5 min).
Systemic Racism in Canadian Healthcare: The Tragedy of Brian Sinclair and Joyce Echaquan
NDN POV video
This episode of NDN POV delves into the systemic racism faced by Indigenous peoples in the Canadian healthcare system, as well as the longstanding inequities caused by colonization. Indigenous peoples in Canada suffer disproportionately from poor health outcomes, including higher rates of chronic disease, mental health challenges, and lower life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Canadians. These disparities are exacerbated by systemic barriers rooted in the ongoing impacts of colonization.
Other resources you may want to explore:
Self-reflection question: How will you incorporate this information into your practice?
Related topics: substance use
We encourage you to participate in our survey to help us continue to improve our free resources.
