Which concept focuses on the influence of privilege and power on healthcare interactions?

• A. Cultural Humility
• B. Critical reflexivity
• C. Cultural Sensitivity
• D. Cultural Effectiveness

Answer: (B)

Privilege and power shaping healthcare interactions are addressed by critical reflexivity. This approach asks clinicians to continually examine how their own social position, biases, and the power dynamics within healthcare systems influence communication, decision-making, and relationships with patients. By reflecting on these factors, practitioners can spot where disparities emerge and adjust their practice to promote equity—checking assumptions, inviting patient input, and advocating for system changes that reduce inequities.

Cultural humility emphasizes staying open to learning from patients and acknowledging limits of one’s knowledge. Cultural sensitivity focuses on understanding and honoring cultural differences to avoid offense. Cultural effectiveness relates to achieving culturally appropriate outcomes, but none of these center power dynamics as explicitly as critical reflexivity.