9.3 Understanding Cultural Diversity

Behavior of individuals will be affected by cultural and ethnic beliefs.

HCP must be aware of these beliefs to provide holistic care

Holistic Care: Care that provides for the well-being of the whole person and meets not only physical needs, but also social needs, emotional, and mental needs.

9.3 The Nine Areas of Cultural Diversity a HCP Might

Encounter. Family Organization

Language

Personal Space Issues

Touching

Eye Contact

Gestures

Health Care Beliefs

Spirituality

Religion

9.3 Family Organization

Nuclear Family – Father, Mother, and Children

Extended Family – Nuclear family plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins

Patriarchal – Father or oldest male is the authority figure

Matriarchal – Mother or oldest female is the authority figure

Communication Skills © A HCP must ask the pt

questions to determine family structure, and pt’s preferences

Ex. Of Questions: Who are the members of

your family? Do you have children? Who will care for them? Do you have extended

family?

9.3 Language

English dominant in USA 20 % of the population

under 65 speak another language

HCP must determine a pt’s ability to communicate by:

Asking Questions Finding a translator

(roster of employees who speak another language)

Speak slowly Use simple words Use gestures or pictures to

clarify Use non-verbal

communication Avoid speaking louder Try to learn words or

phrases in the pts language Legal issue(most states):

Any medical permit requiring a written signature must be printed in the pt’s language

9.3 Personal Space, Touch, and Eye Contact:

Personal Space: territorial space, the distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others, Read pg 280

HCP use Touch and invade personal space to give care

Ask questions to determine pt’s preferences for personal care, read pg. 281

Eye contact: affected by cultural beliefs

European Americans want eye contact to show interest and trustworthiness

Asian Americans consider direct eye contact to be rude

Native Am. Use peripheral (side) vision

Hispanic and African Am. May use brief eye contact

Muslim women may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty

India, people of different socioeconomic classes avoid eye contact

9.3 Gestures & Health Care Beliefs Gestures are used to

communicate many things Common in US, head up and

down for “yes”, and side to side for “no”

India the head motions for “yes” and “no” are just the opposite

Pointing common in US, to Asian and Native Am. This can represent a strong threat

Most common health care system in US is: the biomedical or “Western” system

Based on finding the cause of disease, or aging and then:

Treating it, eliminating the cause, or prevention

Health care beliefs vary greatly (Read Table 9-1)

HCP must understand that every culture has a health system based on values and beliefs that have existed for generations

9.3 Health Care Beliefs Continued

Major change in US is the use of Alternative health care methods (chiropractors, homeopaths, naturopaths, and hypnotists)

5 Types of treatments: Nutritional methods: Vit.,

herbs, organic foods Mind and body control

methods: relaxation meditation, biofeedback, hypnotherapy , and imagery

Energetic Touch: message, acupuncture, acupressure, and therapeutic touch

Body movement: chiropractic, yoga, and tai chi

Spiritual: faith healing, prayer, and spiritual counseling

Individuals have a right to choose their method of treatment, HCP must ask ?’s to determine pt’s preferences

9.3 Spirituality & Religion

Part of every ethnic or cultural group

Spirituality: the beliefs individuals have about themselves , their connections with others,and their relationship with a higher power

Spirituality is an individual’s need to find meaning and purpose in life

Religion: An organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power.

Religious beliefs are associated with a particular form or place of worship

Some individuals are non-believers

Atheist: person who does not believe in any deity

Agnostic: individual who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved

Once again a HCP must talk with a pt, and ask ?’s to determine a pt’s religious needs, Read Table 9-2

9.4 Respecting Cultural Diversity

The key is to regard each person as a unique individual

HCP must be aware of the needs of each individual in order to provide total care.

HCP must learn to appreciate and respect the personal characteristics of others

Ways to achieve this goal are:

Listen to pt’s Appreciate differences Learn more about

cultural and ethnic groups that you see often

9.4 Respecting Cultural Diversity

Recognize and avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping

Ask ?’s to determine a person’s beliefs

Evaluate all information before forming an opinion

Allow pt’s to practice and express their beliefs as much as possible

Not expected to adopt another’s beliefs just accept and respect them

Promote the pt’s interactions with family

Be sensitive to how pt’s respond to eye contact, touch, and invasion of personal space.

Respect spirituality, religious beliefs, symbols, and rituals.

Summary: Cultural Diversity

HCP must show sensitivity, because the US is a multicultural society

HCP must be alert to barriers to effective relationships and avoid them

HCP must give holistic health care

Regard each person as a unique individual

Appreciate and respect the personal characteristics of others