Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2025

Summer 2025 • 51

Campinha-Bacote’s Model of Cultural Competence

and perspectives while avoiding unconscious and perceived biases. • Cultural awareness is the process of self exploration and self-examination of one’s own biases towards other cultures. This includes the existence of xenophobia (prejudice against people from other countries), racism (prejudice against people from different races), and other forms of cultural phobias and “-isms.” • Cultural knowledge is the process of acquiring information about culturally diverse groups. Cultural knowledge encompasses a wide range of topics, including history, customs, language and the cultural dimensions mentioned previously. This information can be gained through education, experiences and by talking with others. • Cultural skill is the ability to interact with clients and colleagues in a culturally sensitive

Campinha-Bacote 14 developed a model of five milestones of cultural competence. She believed that cultural competence is an ongoing process and that health care professionals must strive toward becoming culturally competent. The five components of cultural competence are cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, cultural desire and cultural encounters. Although not in order, the acronym ASKED will help you remember the milestones of cultural competence. ASKED stands for awareness, skill, knowledge, encounter and desire. This model has been shown effective in educating and sensitizing individuals toward cultural competence within interdisciplinary programs. 15 Learning to care for all members of society involves understanding and being open to multiple lifestyles

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