Integrating Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity in Global Foods and Counseling and Communications Courses

Cultivating cultural awareness and humility is critical among dietetic professionals. Research demonstrates the need to develop cultural competence in our profession to improve practitioner-patient relations and reduce health care disparities.

Integrating cultural inclusivity and sensitivity topics and research into coursework prepares dietetic students to develop a true desire for cultural understanding. Two different courses will be presented: global foods and counseling/communications.

The presenters of this session share how they have refined ways to foster cultural empathy and respect within their students. The current Strategic Plan for the Academy highlights a focus area of Diversity and Inclusion with a goal of cultivating organizational and professional values of equity, respect, civility and anti-discrimination.

This session presents the lens of cultural awareness and humility that supports this goal and helps advance our profession within this diverse, global, and ever-changing world.

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 1.7.1 Recognizes and respects cultural and racial diverse backgrounds to effectively interact and build meaningful relationships with others (e.g., clients, employees, inter- and intra-professional team members and community and professional groups).
• 6.7.1 Designs course syllabi and lessons plans based on curriculum goals, objectives and related competencies.
• 9.5.3 Analyzes and synthesizes collated data to recommend and make modifications to education and programs

Learning Objectives

• Integrate cultural definitions and framework of global foods course into curriculum or personal practice to enhance awareness, humility and respect of diverse populations and cultures
• Identify strategies to teach and assess cultural sensitivity and inclusivity in nutrition counseling and communication courses to foster cultural awareness, understanding and empathy
• Articulate a plan to develop cultural competence in order to advance the efficacy of dietetics within a culturally diverse world

Moderator

• Rachel Villarreal

Speakers

• Lisa Salinas
• Lynn Dugan