Healthcare D1
Why is Cultural Competency Important for Health Professionals to Understand?
CH3
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Being Politically Correct
Political correctness was mainstreamed into US culture in the 1990s in political campaigns. This term refers to ones awareness of differences among people of different races, ethnic groups, genders, abilities, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, and other overall views. It is meant to eliminate stereotypes and prejudices that are societal in nature. These terms change as society changes and it can be challenging trying to keep up with the terms.
So then is cultural competency the same as being politically correct?
Obviously using terms that promote a negative connotation is not appropriate for anyone to use especially for those in the healthcare; where trust needs to be promoted.
For example: If a patient’s culture believes in holistic approaches to
their care then those options should be considered and discussed
and implemented as much as possible in their plan of care.
This open communication allows the patient some control in
their healthcare and perhaps informs the health
professional of other approaches they could consider.
The importance of recognizing one’s culture and how an individual perceives healthcare is crucial in developing their plan of care.
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Healthcare professionals
and cultural groups have
similarities in that they are
groups of individuals who
share common knowledge, beliefs, ideas, experiences,
attitudes, and behaviors. (Pachter, 1994)
and cultural groups
Similarities between healthcare professionals
Patcher, L. (1994). Culture and clinical care: Folk illness beliefs and behaviors and their implications for health care delivery. JAMA 271, 690-694.
Acknowledging those similarities increases communication between the health professional and the patient.
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In your interactions with different individuals; think about how many times the communication was not effective and the wrong message was received. This happens with technology across the board because emails and texts do not have the personal nuances that a face to face interaction posses. Now consider when healthcare services are being provided to an individual who does not speak the same language as any of the healthcare providers.
Communication
is crucial for optimal healthcare delivery.
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This is an example of ineffective communication. The healthcare professional does not fully understand the patient’s desires for her healthcare.
If patients do not trust and believe in healthcare they will not be compliant, thus the outcomes for the patient are not optimal.
Case Study
Read the case study in your text on page 26 in chapter 3
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How does the patient feel about touching or physical contact of any sort?
Does you patient want eye contact or not?
Do you direct your conversation to the patient or a certain family member in terms of family dynamics, gender, and who makes the decisions?
The direct impact of cultural beliefs, in terms of medical interventions. These beliefs could directly effect how or if these individuals seek out healthcare.
Some common factors in healthcare that
need to be considered.
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Interpretation
Is In reference to the spoken word.
Need to have interpreters for patients. You want to be able to translate the different dialects. This is costly and difficult to keep up with people moving around but a system needs to be developed to address this issue.
Is in reference to the written word.
For example making sure the patient know what they are signing and that they get the services they want and need. When healthcare facilities have pictures that are universal, translations in brochures n multiple languages that are written by trained professionals. Cost still remains a factor in this area as well.
Translation
Communication in terms of interpretation or
Translation There are very clear examples of these in your book The Spirit catches you and You Fall Down.
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Healthcare facilities, no matter what the funding is, should provide an atmosphere that is comforting to patients and their families. When dealing with healthcare people are stressed. Providing an area where families can be comfortable and decompress is essential for any healthcare facility to consider when designing the public areas.
The Importance of a
Welcoming Area for Patients
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Art work that is relevant to the community
Kid zones
Areas for families to have privacy
Areas where families can access their technology and make phone calls
These are just a few essential comforts every healthcare facility should take into consideration when designing a healthcare facility.
The Importance of a
Welcoming Area for Patients
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Eating facilities
Areas where support groups are offered for the family
Access to various religious and spiritual resources
An information area
Housing for long terms stays
An effort should be made to have a diverse healthcare team, especially with individuals on the team that reflect the community they practice in. Some strategies to promote this diversity amongst healthcare professionals are…..
Diversity Amongst
Healthcare Professionals
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Provide educational opportunities to the youth of the community to spark interest in healthcare
Healthcare facilities should support diversity on the healthcare teams
Help to foster their interest with scholarships and mentoring to help them become healthcare professionals
Educate healthcare professionals on the needs of the community they work in
Empower diverse areas through CEUs, technology, and mentoring from other healthcare professionals
Beliefs and Forming a Trusting Bond
If patients don’t feel their cultural, traditions, and beliefs are not important to their healthcare provider then odds are they will be noncompliant. Ask yourself the questions on page 35 in your text so that you get a good sense of how ingrained a patient’s healthcare beliefs are.
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COMMUNICATION
This insight can open communication and allow a trusting bond to form between patient and healthcare provider. There are multiple examples of this in your book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Reflect on how much communication, and the lack of there of, impacted Lia’s family.
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