Cultural safety practices focus on the patient's experience to define and improve the quality of

care. Culturally safe practices are also a result of respectful engagement that acknowledges and
aims to correct power inequalities present in the healthcare system. People feel safe in an
environment that is devoid of prejudice and bigotry.

Cultural safety is what you do with that knowledge — whether that means examining your own
biases or challenging those of a health institution or system. More importantly, “it’s an
outcome that’s defined and experienced by those who receive the service,” that's according to
Ambtman-Smith. In other words, if an environment doesn’t feel safe, it’s not. Thus, inviting and
actively fostering a space for cultural expression inside the healthcare system are other aspects
of cultural safety. Moreover, to recognize the danger of health disparity and guide initiatives to
promote culturally safe treatment, it is crucial to comprehend the ways in which power and
privilege, as well as social and cultural determinants of health, affect the health of groups and
people.

Cultural safety is an approach that considers social and historical contexts, as well as structural
and interpersonal power imbalances, shape health and health care experiences. Based on
respect for one another, shared understanding, learning opportunities, and experiences,
participants feel secure. In order to ensure that the participating community, group, or
individual is a partner in decision-making, cultural safety empowers people. Most people are
aware of the statistics that indicate significant health and social disparities between Indigenous
and non-Indigenous people that is why cultural safety is important in addressing the social
inequities experienced by these people.