The Contribution of Cross-cultural Training to Cultural Competence in Health Services

The health services of high immigration countries such as Australia increasingly recognise the necessity of identifying and developing the knowledge, awareness and skills needed to work effectively in situations characterised by cultural diversity. Actively managing and working with cultural diversity includes the development and enhancement of 'cultural competence' (or 'competency') in workplace relations and in client services. Two recent Australian studies have convincingly demonstrated the effectiveness of cross-cultural training (CCT) and its contribution to workplace performance and cultural competence.