Cultural Humility and the Practice of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

Abstract Background Cultural competency has long been the gold standard for clinicians who treat patients of different races and/or cultural backgrounds than their own. However, in recent years, there has been increasing criticism of the cultural competency framework due to its reliance on stereotypes and an overemphasis on knowledge acquisition. Thus, many clinicians have turned to cultural humility, which minimizes the power imbalance between clinicians and patients and emphasizes patient-focused interviewing and care. Objective We review this transition, including the critiques of cultural competency. We highlight trends in psychiatrist diversity, education, and training on cultural humility, including how C-L psychiatrists can incorporate advances in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) regarding the role of culture in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management.