Cultural Diversity Miss Shurouq Qadose 3/4/2011

CULTURE: A group's acceptance of a set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors that influence the way members of that group express themselves. CULTURAL EXPRESSION FORMS: Language, works of art, spirituality, decision making, food preferences, world philosophy, group customs and traditions and response to stress, illness, pain, sorrow, anger and bereavement. Cultural orientation begins at birth and continues throughout the life span.

SUBCULTURE: develops when members of a group do not accept all the values of their dominant culture. Culture is considered a photocopier, society attempts to pass from one generation to another values, beliefs and customs. DIVERSITY: difference between cultures. Primary characteristics are: race, color, gender, age, religion. Secondary characteristics are more difficult to identify. Some are: socioeconomic status, education, occupation, length of time away from country of origin, residential status.

STEREOTYPING: An over simplified belief, conception, or opinion about another person or group based on limited information. Developing cultural awareness is the 1st step in becoming a culturally competent midwife. Midwife must understand client’s perspective of what is happening in the health care setting. From a cultural viewpoint it may be quite different from the nurse's viewpoint.

A midwife develops cultural awareness only when she is able to recognize and value all aspects of a client’s culture including beliefs, customs, responses, language, social structure, methods of expression. Midwife must first understand their own cultural background and explore origins of prejudice (تحيز (and bias. Basic belief systems of cultures are often a guarded secret. Cultural values are neither right or wrong. They can usually be traced back to a need for group survival.

STEREOTYPING: An over simplified belief, conception, or opinion about another person or group based on limited information. Developing cultural awareness is the 1st step in becoming a culturally competent midwife. Midwife must understand client’s perspective of what is happening in the health care setting. From a cultural viewpoint it may be quite different from the midwives viewpoint.

A midwife develops cultural awareness only when she is able to recognize and value all aspects of a client’s culture including beliefs, customs, responses, language, social structure, methods of expression. Midwife must first understand their own cultural background and explore origins of prejudice and bias. Basic belief systems of cultures are often a guarded secret. Cultural values are neither right or wrong. They can usually be traced back to a need for group survival.

A primary function of the midwife may be to change the client’s values about health care. The midwife must: Identify culture of client and recognize health care practices that are similar and different from those of the midwife. Make a decision about whether it is desirable or possible to change client’s values. (e.g, Middle Eastern culture doesn’t allow fathers to observe or participate in births. Obtaining an accurate cultural assessment is necessary so that midwife doesn't impose their cultural values on clients in practice or care plan development.

-Why do you think you are ill? -What was the cause of the illness? -How does the illness affect your body and health? -Do you consider this a serious illness? -If you were at home, what type of treatments or medications would you use? -What type of treatment do you expect from the health care system? -How has your illness affected your ability to live -normally? -If you do not get better, what do you think will happen?

PROVIDING CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE: Cultural competence is a 21st century buzz word. As it relates to nursing can be regarded as the provision of effective care for clients of diverse cultures, based on midwife knowledge of beliefs, customs, etc. Requires development of interpersonal skills. (E.g.: Communication, understanding and sensitivity. Is an ongoing process that continues throughout the midwife career)

Transcultural Communication: الاتصال عبر الثقافات) ) The ability to communicate is the foundation requires both verbal and non-verbal communication. Barriers to communication: lack of a common language, loudness and tone of voice, caste system within a culture, incorrect interpretation of non-verbal communication (E.g.: Nods and smiling ( الإيماءات ويبتسم) in the U.S. means understanding and compliance. In Asia it means a show of respect) silence (may be out of respect or need for privacy). Inappropriate touching, invasion of personal space, eye contact (means attentive, “look at me and say that”. Native Americans believe that the eye is the window to the soul.

Passive obedience develops when clients from another culture believe the midwife is the authority figure. Cultural synergy ( تضافر الثقافات)implies that health care providers make a commitment to learn about other cultures and immerse themselves in that culture.