What is Congruence

The competency of medical professionals is assessed not only based on knowledge they have, but also through their communication and interpersonal approach. This competency is largely influenced by numerous factors; most significant of which is the 'self' that a physician is. 'Self' governs how physicians think and respond to others in a given context and hence, has a large impact on the healthcare that they provide. In multicultural healthcare organizations, understanding 'self' is even more important for physicians to maintain their competency so that they can provide the most effective care to all patients. This chapter takes a look at 'self' of physicians and its impact on physicians' competency by exploring different aspects of 'self', applying concepts from social psychology. The chapter further delves into influence of multiculturism on 'self' and the role of awareness of 'self' in enhancing physicians' performance in culturally diverse clinical settings.