Cultural Assessment in Healthcare

Cultural Assessment Issues

• The student will be able to list steps for culture assessment.
• The student will be able to describe strategies for working with patients in cross-cultural settings.
• The student will be able to identify the importance of conducting a culture assessment.

Cultural Assessment

• Five areas to assess one's own culture and its influence on health beliefs are:
  • Influences from ethnic/racial background (e.g., skin color, religion, language).
  • Typical verbal and non-verbal communication patterns.
  • Cultural values and norms.
  • Religious beliefs and practices.
  • Health beliefs and practices.

Client Cultural Assessment

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

Culturally Appropriate Care

• Respect clients' beliefs and different behaviors/practices.
• Accommodate differences if not detrimental to health.
• Listen for cues relaying unique ethnic beliefs about health issues (etiology, transmission, prevention).
• Teach positive health habits if client's practices are harmful.

Ethnocentrism

• Belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Ethnocentric Attitudes and Problems

• Prejudice: Negative pre-conceived opinions about others based on perception or emotion.
• Stereotyping: Belief that all members of a cultural group will display certain characteristics or attitudes just because they belong to that group.
• Discrimination: Differential treatment based on race, class, sex, or other variables rather than individual merit.
• Stigmatization: Attribution of negative characteristics to an individual or group, leading to rejection and alienation.

Strategies for Working With Patients in Cross-Cultural Settings

• Learn about cultural traditions of patients.
• Pay close attention to body language, lack of response, or expressions of anxiety—these may signal conflict.
• Ask open-ended questions to understand assumptions and expectations.
• Follow patient advice on appropriate communication within families and healthcare providers.

Importance of Doing a Culture Assessment

• Formulate a mutually acceptable and culturally responsive treatment plan for the patient and healthcare provider.
• Acknowledge the patient's right to their cultural beliefs, values, and health practices.
• Understand the meaning of illness within the patient's unique culture.