Cultural Diversity

1
Cultural Diversity

• Health Team Relations

2
INTRODUCTION

• 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

3
Individuality/Uniqueness influenced by the
following

• Physical characteristics
• Family life
• Socioeconomic status
• Religious beliefs
• Geographical location
• Education
• Occupation
• Life experiences

4
Culture

• 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

5
All Cultures have 4 things in common

• 1. Culture is learned
• 2. Culture is shared
• 3. Culture is social in nature
• 4. Culture is dynamic and constantly changing

6
Ethnicity

• 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

7
Ethnic Groups in the United States

• 1. African American
• 2. Asian American
• 3. European American
• 4. Hispanic American
• 5. Middle Eastern/Arab Americans
• 6. Native Americans (Indians and Eskimos)

8
Race

• 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.

9
Cultural Diversity

• 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

10
Cultural Diversity cont

• 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

11
Cultural Sensitivity

• 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

12
Bias

• 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

13
Common Biases include

• 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

14
Prejudice

• 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!

15
Stereotyping

• Stereotyping occurs when an assumption is made
  that everyone in a particular group is the same
• Labels individuals
• Example All blondes are dumb.

16
Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping

• 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

17
Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping
in Health Care

• 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

18
Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping
in Health Care cont

• 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
  someones feelings, and forgive if someone hurts
  your feelings

19
Holistic Care

• HC providers must be aware of cultural diversity
  to provide holistic care (well-being of the whole
  person) to their patients

20
Family Organization

• 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

21
2 Main Types of Families

• 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

22
Patriarchal 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

23
Matriarchal Families

• In these families the mother or oldest female is
  the authority figure and makes the decisions for
  the family

24
Language

• 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
  patients ability to communicate by talking with
  pateint/relative and asking questions

25
Common Questions to Determine Patients
Understanding

• 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?

26
Health Care Providers should

• 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

27
Personal Space

• 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

28
HC Providers Personal Space

• HC providers have to invade a patients 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

29
Eye Contact

• 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

30
Gestures

• 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

31
Health Care Beliefs

• 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

32
Western HC Beliefs

• 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

33
Health Care Beliefs of Different Ethnic Groups

• 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

34
Alternative Health Care

• Nutritional methods
• Organic foods, herbs, vitamins
• Mind and body control
• Relaxation, meditation, biofeedback
• Hypnotherapy, imagery
• Energetic touch therapy
• Massage, acupuncture
• Body-movement methods
• Chiropractic, yoga, tai chi
• Spiritual methods
• Faith healing, prayer, and spiritual counseling

35
Traditional vs. Alternative Treatments

• 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

36
Spirituality vs. Religion

• The beliefs individuals have about themselves,
  their connections with others, and their
  relationship with a higher power
• Individuals need to find meaning and purpose in
  life

• Organized system of belief in a superhuman power
• Form of worship
• Ex. Going to church

37
Major Religious Beliefs

• Pg 145-148

38
Atheist

• Someone who does not believe in a higher power

39
Agnostic

• A person who believes that the existence of a
  higher power can not be proven or disproven

40
THE END!!!