La competencia cultural como dimensión de identidad profesional. Un estudio cualitativo en sanitarios y maestros

Abstract

Cultural Competences (CC) are key professional skills in heterogeneous communities, particularly in the educational and healthcare fields. A diversity of educational programs in CC have resulted in various degrees of success. In this article we pose that CCs should become part of a professional identity in order to be efficacious. We analyze the various ways in which CCs may be integrated into six professionals in a multicultural neighborhood using the qualitative analysis technique of social positioning. We interviewed three primary school teachers and three healthcare professionals that work in a primary healthcare unit in the same neighborhood. Our results reveal the existence of three CC integration formats in professional identities: as a key cultural competence; as cultural egalitarianism and care-giving, and as cultural awareness as it pertains to the professional practice.