1. Cultural Diversity in Health Care

2. Bell Work What does cultural diversity mean to you?
Can you think of a culture different from yours that you have had an interaction with. What was “different” about it?
Research a culture, religion, ethnicity, or race that would require sensitivity in healthcare.

3. Culture
Set of values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, customs of a group of people
Learned and shared
Dynamic and changing

4. Ethnicity Classification of people based on national origin or culture
Examples: African American, Asian American, European American, Hispanic American, Middle Eastern/Arabic American, Native American

5. Race
Classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics
Involves multiple cultures and ethnic groups

6. Cultural Diversity
Differences based on cultural, ethnic, and racial factors
Must be considered when providing health care
Healthcare providers must recognize and appreciate the characteristics of all patients

7. Areas of Cultural Diversity
Family organization
Language
Personal space
Touching
Eye contact
Gestures
Health care beliefs
Spirituality
Religion

8. Cultural Diversity Impacts Beliefs about such things as:
Birth
Death
Health
Illness
Health Care

9. Important Terms in Cultural Diversity
Ethnocentrism: assumption of cultural superiority
Oppression: result of ethnocentrism
Stereotyping: the belief that all members of a cultural group act alike
Dominant culture: prevailing group within a given society
Minority group: those of fewer numbers
Cultural assimilation: the absorption of the minority into the dominant culture

10. Components of Cultural
Culture is composed of beliefs about:
Activity - how people organize and value work.
Social relations - structure of friendships, gender roles and class.
Motivation - the value and methods of achievement.
Perception of the world - interpretation of life events and religious beliefs.
Perception of self - refers to personal identity, value, and respect for individuals.

11. Characteristics of Cultural
Culture is learned
Culture is not inherited or innate, but integrated throughout all interrelated components
Culture is shared by all who belong to the cultural group
Culture is tacit (unspoken) and understood by all in the cultural group
Culture is dynamic

12. Cultural & Health Care
How different cultures view the following variables affects health care in significant ways.
Definition of health: what is it?
Etiology: what are the origins of disease?
Health Promotion and Protection: how is health achieved and maintained?
Practitioners and Remedies: who and what can heal a person?

13. Cultural Roots
Unlike opinions, preferences, and attitudes, which can change, cultural characteristics are deeply rooted and difficult to change.
Clients reflect their cultural and ethnic heritage every time they interact with the world around them.

14. Cultural & Racial Influences on Client Care
Culture and race influence client care in the areas of:
Communication
Orientation to Space and Time
Social Organization

15. Communication
Language differences can lead to misunderstandings and frustration.
Alternative methods of communication, such as flash cards and gestures, may have to be used.
Family members or staff interpreters may also be necessary to intercede.

16. Orientation to Space and Time
Issues around personal space and future orientation vary from culture to culture and impact the effective delivery of health care.

17. Social Organization
Social organization refers to how different cultural groups determine rules of acceptable behavior. Examples include:
Family Structure.
Gender Roles.
Religion.

18. Religion
Culture is influenced by religion, which in turn affects beliefs and practices about health and illness.
Spiritual and religious beliefs are important in many people’s lives. They can influence lifestyle, attitudes, and feelings about illness and death.

19. Personal Cultural Assessment
Five areas to be examined in assessing one’s own culture and the influence it may have on personal beliefs about health care are:
Influences from own ethnic/racial background.
Typical verbal and non-communication patterns.
Cultural values and norms.
Religious beliefs and practices.
Health beliefs and practices.

20. Client Cultural Assessment
Six categories of information necessary for a comprehensive cultural assessment of a client are:
Ethnic or racial background.
Language and communication patterns.
Cultural values and norms.
Biocultural factors.
Religious beliefs and practices.
Health beliefs and practices.

21. Culturally Appropriate Care
Respect clients for their different beliefs.
Be sensitive to behaviors and practices different from your own.
Accommodate differences if they are not detrimental to health.
Listen for cues in the client’s conversation that relay a unique ethnic belief about etiology, transmission, prevention, etc.
Teach positive health habits if client’s practices are deleterious to good health.

22. Examples