Transcript Cultural Diversity

HC providers must provide care to many
different types of patients
 No two patients are alike
 HC providers must be aware of and
respect the individuality of each patient

Physical characteristics
 Family life
 Socioeconomic status
 Religious beliefs
 Geographical location
 Education
 Occupation
 Life experiences

Defined as values, beliefs, attitudes,
languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and
customs unique to a particular group of
people and passed from one generation to
the next
 Set of rules about things like family relations,
child rearing, education, occupational
choice, social interactions, spirituality,
religious beliefs, food preferences, health
beliefs, and HC

1. Culture is learned**
 2. Culture is shared
 3. Culture is social in nature
 4. Culture is dynamic and constantly
changing
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Defined as a classification of people
based on national origin and/or culture
 Members of an ethnic group may share
common heritage, geographical
location, social customs, language, and
beliefs

1. African American
 2. Asian American
 3. European American
 4. Hispanic American
 5. Middle Eastern/Arab Americans
 6. Native Americans (Indians and
Eskimos)***
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Classification of people based on the
physical characteristics (color or hair,
skin, and eyes)
› There are different races present in most
ethnic groups.
 Ex. There are black and white African
Americans.
This is the differences in culture, ethnicity,
and racial factors among people
 In previous times the United States used to
be called the “melting pot” to represent the
absorption of many cultures in the
dominant culture.

› This is called cultural assimilation when people
come from other countries and adapt to the
American way of doing things
In reality the U.S. is more like a salad bowl
now where cultural differences are
appreciated and respected
 Acculturation = the process of learning the
beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture
and assuming some of the characteristics

› This process occurs slowly over time
› Recent immigrants to the U.S. are more likely to
follow patterns of their native land than their
children and grandchildren who have lived here
longer

The ability to recognize and appreciate
the personal characteristics of others is
essential in health care
› Ex. In some cultures, called an adult by their
first name is not acceptable except for close
friends/relatives. Sensitive HC workers will
address patients by Mr./Mrs. and their last
name

A bias is a preference that prevents
impartial judgment
› Example: Individuals that believe in the
supremacy of their own ethnic group
(ethnocentric). These people believe that
their cultural values are better than the
cultural values of others
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Age
› Younger people are more physically and mentally superior to
older people

Education
› College educated people are superior to uneducated people

Economic
› Rich people are superior to poor people

Physical
› Obese and short people are inferior to slender and taller people

Occupation
› Nurses are inferior to doctors

Sexual preference
› Homosexuals are inferior to heterosexuals

Gender
› Women are inferior to men
Prejudice means to pre-judge.
 It is a strong feeling/belief about a
person/subject that is formed without
reviewing facts/information
 This causes fear and distrust and
interferes with interpersonal relationships
 Everyone is prejudiced to a certain
degree!

Stereotyping occurs when an
assumption is made that everyone in a
particular group is the same
 Labels individuals
 Example = “All blondes are dumb.”

These are all barriers to effective
communication and relationships with
patients
 HC providers must be alert to these
barriers and make every effort to avoid
them

Know and be consciously aware of your
own personal and professional values and
beliefs
 Obtain as much information as possible
about different ethnic/cultural groups
 Be sensitive to behaviors and practices
different from your own
 Remember you are not be pressured to
adopt your patients’ beliefs, but you must
respect them
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Develop friendships with a wide variety of
people
Ask questions about your patients’
beliefs/culture
Evaluate all information before you form an
opinion
Be open to differences
Avoid jokes that may offend
Remember mistakes happen, apologize if
you hurt someone’s feelings, and forgive if
someone hurts your feelings

HC providers must be aware of cultural
diversity to provide holistic care (wellbeing of the whole person) to their
patients
This is the structure of a family and the
dominant or decision-making person in
the family
 Families vary in their composition and in
the roles assumed by family members

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1. Nuclear family
› Usually consists of a mother, father, and
children (single-parent and children)
› Common type for European American
families

2. Extended family
› Usually includes nuclear family plus
grandparents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins
› Common type for Asian, Hispanic, and
Native American families
In these families the father or oldest male
is the authority figure and makes the
decisions for the family
 So, this is the person who would make
the health care decisions as well
 Women are expected to be obedient
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In these families the mother or oldest
female is the authority figure and makes
the decisions for the family
Dominant language used in United
States is English
 However, 20% of population under 65
years of age speaks another language
 A health care provider must determine
the patient’s ability to communicate by
talking with pateint/relative and asking
questions

Do you speak English as your first
language?
 What language is spoken at home?
 Do you read English?
 Do you have a family member/friend
that can interpret for you?
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Find a translator when possible
Speak slowly and use simple words
Use gestures/pictures to clarify meaning of
words
Use nonverbal communication (smile or
gentle touch) when appropriate
Avoid tendency to speak louder
Try to learn some words/phrases in their
language
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Personal space = territorial space
This describes the distance people require
to feel comfortable while interacting with
others
This varies among different ethnic groups
Close contact groups: comfortable
standing very close to and even touching
Distant contact groups
HC providers have to invade a patient’s
personal space at times to do certain
skills (ex. Taking vital signs, baths, etc.)
 HC providers should always be alert to
patients verbals and non-verbals
 HC providers should use a slow, relaxed
approach and explain the procedure

European Americans regard eye
contact during conversation as a sign of
interest and trustworthiness
 Asian Americans consider direct eye
contact to be rude
 The many beliefs regarding eye contact
can lead to misunderstandings when
people of different cultures interact

Shaking head “yes” or “no”
 In India, it is the complete opposite
 Pointing at someone with a finger
represents a strong threat by Asian and
Native Americans

The “Western” system is the most common
HC system in the U.S.
 This system is based on the cause of disease
being microorganisms, diseased cells, and
the process of aging
 When the cause is determined, HC is
directed toward eliminating
microorganisms, conquering disease
process, and/or preventing the aging
process
 HC providers in the U.S. are trained and
licensed to practice

Encouraging patients to learn as much
as possible about their illness
 Informing patients about terminal
illnesses
 Teaching self-care
 Using medications and technology to
cure or decrease effects of
disease/illness
 Teaching preventative care
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Look in book on page 142-143
 Make your own table with six rows down
and five columns down
 I will help you condense chart in book
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Nutritional methods
› Organic foods, herbs, vitamins
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Mind and body control
› Relaxation, meditation, biofeedback
› Hypnotherapy, imagery
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Energetic touch therapy
› Massage, acupuncture
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Body-movement methods
› Chiropractic, yoga, tai chi
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Spiritual methods
› Faith healing, prayer, and spiritual
counseling
All individuals have the right to choose
the type of HC system and method of
treatment that they feel is best for them
 HC providers must respect this, even if
they do not agree
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The beliefs
individuals have
about themselves,
their connections
with others, and their
relationship with a
higher power
Individual’s need to
find meaning and
purpose in life
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Organized system of
belief in a
superhuman power
Form of worship
Ex. Going to church
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Pg 145-148
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Someone who does not believe in a
higher power
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A person who believes that the existence
of a higher power can not be proven or
disproven