Cultural Diversity Notes PDF

Cultural Diversity Health Science Theory Terms and Definitions: Culture: The values, beliefs, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a group of people and passed from one generation to the next. Ethnicity: A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture. Rac...

Cultural Diversity Health Science Theory Terms and Definitions: Culture: The values, beliefs, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a group of people and passed from one generation to the next. Ethnicity: A classification of people based on national origin and/or culture. Race: A classification based on physical or biological characteristics. These differences among people resulting from cultural, ethnic and races are called cultural diversity. Characteristics of Culture: Even though differences exist between cultural group and individuals within a cultural group, all cultures have four basic characteristics: ➔ ➔ ➔ Culture is learned, culture does not just happen. It is taught to others. Culture shared, common practices and beliefs are shared with others in a cultural group. Culture is social in nature, individuals in the cultural group understand appropriate behavior based on traditions that have been passed from generation to generation. ➔ Culture is dynamic and constantly changing, new ideas may generate different standards for behavior. This allows a cultural group to meet the needs of the group by adapting to environmental changes. Bias, Prejudice,and Stereotyping Bias, prejudice and stereotyping can interfere with acceptance of cultural diversity. Bias: a preference that inhibits impartial judgement. Prejudice: means to prejudge, a strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that formed without reviewing facts or information. Stereotyping: occurs when an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same. Common Biases: Age: young people are physically and mentally superior Education: College-educated individuals are superior to uneducated individuals Economic: Rich people are superior to poor people Physical size: obese and short people are inferior Occupation: Nurses are inferior to doctors Gender: Women are inferior to men Language: In the U.S., the dominant language is English, but many other languages are also spoken. ➔ Determine the person/patient’s ability to communicate by talking with the patient or a relative and ask questions. Ask: Do you speak English? What language is spoken at home? Do you read English? Do you read another language? ➔ Whenever possible, try to find and interpreter who speaks the language of the patient. (Frequently another healthcare worker, a consultant or a family member may be able to assist) Language Cont’: ➔ ➔ When providing care to people who have limited English-speaking abilities, speak slowly and clearly, use simple words, use gestures or pictures to clarify words. Use nonverbal communication such as a smile or gentle touch if it is culturally appropriate. Avoid the tendency to speak louder ➔ Obtain feedback to determine whether the patient understands the information provided Personal Space and Touch: Personal space, also known as territorial space- distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others. This varies greatly among different ethnic/cultural groups. ➔ Arabs: a very close-contact group; they touch, feel and smell people with whom they interact ➔ French and Latin Americans: tend to stand very close together while talking ➔ Hispanic Americans: comfortable with close contact and use hugs and handshakes to greet each other. Personal Space and Touch Cont’: ➔ ➔ ➔ European and African Americans: prefer space (approx. 2-4 feet) during interactions, but do not hesitate to shake hands as a greeting. Asian Americans: will stand closer, but usually do not touch during a conversation; kissing or hugging is reserved for intimate relationships and is never done in public view. Cambodians: members of the opposite sex may never touch each other in public, not even brothers or sisters; only parent can touch the head of a child Personal Space and Touch Cont’: ➔ Vietnamese: allow only the elderly to touch the head of a child because the head is considered sacred ➔ Middle Easterners: in some countries men may not touch female individuals who are not immediate family members, and only men may shake hands with other men; a female from one of these countries may refuse personal health care provided by a male health care provider ➔ Native Americans: personal space is important, but they will lightly touch another person’s hand during greetings Eye Contact: Eye contact is affected by different cultural beliefs. Examples: Asian Americans consider direct eye contact to be rude. Native Americans may use peripheral (side) vision and avoid direct eye contact Hispanic and African Americans may use brief eye contact, but then look away to indicate respect and attentiveness Muslim women may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty Gestures: Gestures are used to communicate many things. Common gestures in the United States is nodding the head up and down for “yes” and side to side for “no”. Pointing at someone is a common getsure in the U.S but to Asians and Native Americans this can represent a strong threat. In India, the head motions for “yes” and “no” are the exact opposite. Health Care Beliefs: Most common health care system in the U.S. is the biomedical health care system or “Western” system. - Health care bases the cause of disease on such things as microorganisms, diseased cells, and the process of aging; when disease is determined health care is directed toward eliminating the microorganism, conquering the disease and/or preventing the effects of aging. Most cultures have common conceptions regarding the cause of illness, ways to maintain health, appropriate response to pain, and effective methods of treatment Health Care Beliefs Cont’: Culture Cause of Illness Responses to Pain South African Asian Health Care Beliefs Cont’: Culture Cause of Illness European Hispanic Health Care Beliefs Cont’: Culture Cause of Illness Middle Eastern Response to pain Response to Pain Native American Spiritually and Religion: Spirituality and religion are an inherent part of every ethnic and cultural group. Even though a religion may establish certain beliefs and rituals, it is important to remember that not everyone follows all the beliefs or rituals of their own religion. **Please refer to Table 9-2 in your textbook to read about the Major Religious Beliefs, focus on the following (beliefs about death & health care beliefs): ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ Baptist Buddhism Christian Scientist Hinduism Islam Jehovah’s Witness Roman Catholic Respecting Cultural Diversity: The key to respecting cultural diversity is to regard each person as a unique individual. HCW/We must be aware of the needs of each individual in order to provide total care. We must learn to appreciate and respect the personal characteristics of others. How do we achieve this goal: ➔ Listen to patients as they express their beliefs ➔ ➔ Appreciate differences in people Learn more about the cultural and ethnic groups that you see more frequently Respecting Cultural Diversity Cont’: ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ Recognize bias, prejudice and stereotyping Ask questions to determine a person’s beliefs Evaluate all information before forming an opinion Allow patients to practice and express their beliefs as much as possible Remember that you are not expected to adopt another’s beliefs just accept and respect them Recognize and promote the patient's positive interactions with family Be sensitive to how patients respond to eye contact, touch, and invasion of space Respect spiritually, religious beliefs, symbols and rituals