Background
Cultural humility is vital in building cultural awareness and respect; and in working towards equality in healthcare. It is key in advocacy and improving the quality of care provided to children and their families; particularly in Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC), an area that requires sensitivity and individualised care. 

With Australia’s multicultural and multi-ethnic diversity, the Queensland Children’s Hospital PPC team recognises the importance in being culturally sensitive and are keen to continually learn more.

Aim
We aim to improve our cultural awareness; to better appreciate how culture may impact decision making, and patient and family experiences of healthcare. Through shared stories, we hope to discuss factors that facilitate provision of holistic and individualised patient care.

Methods
We conducted a literature review and reflective exercise to identify current capabilities, gaps, and areas that can be optimised. 

Results
Many of us have encountered challenging situations in PPC, where an understanding of one’s cultural background was essential in breaking barriers to facilitate improved communication and understanding. Some of these complexities including collusion, misconceptions on opioids, fears surrounding death and dying, requests for palliative sedation, are often influenced by cultural factors. Cultural factors though may be perceived as barriers but are in fact opportunities for enhanced personalised care and human connection. In seeking to understand our patients and families to a deeper level, where we can respect not only the values and beliefs that we share, but also our differences, this facilitates trust, fosters the patient-healthcare-professional relationship and enhances meaning making for all. 

Conclusion/Lessons
Cultural humility is a life-long learning process.  There are benefits of a multicultural and inclusive workforce, yet we also acknowledge there is heterogeneity even within same cultures and religions. The key is for openness and humility to listen, learn and seek to understand ourselves, our colleagues, patients and families.