Embracing Diversity in Healthcare: Understanding Cultural Differences

1. Chapter 13: Diversity and Difference in Health Care

2. Types of Cultural Diversity • Race • National origin • Religion • Language • Physical size • Gender • Sexual orientation • Age • Disability • Socioeconomic status • Geographic location

3. Types of Personal Beliefs • Cultural beliefs • Social beliefs • Religious beliefs • Personal convictions

4. Cultural and Ethnic Differences • Definition of Culture • A shared system of beliefs, values, and behavioral expectations that provide structure for daily living

5. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Factors Influencing Culture • Beliefs • Habits • Likes • Dislikes • Customs • Rituals

6. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Facts About Culture • Provides shared identity for cultural group • Influences member’s view of: • Self • Expectations • Behavior • Is shaped by social & physical environment • Is transmitted via language, formal teaching, & observation of elders

7. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Shared Characteristics of an Ethnic Group • Language & dialect • Religious practices • Literature • Folklore • Music • Political interests • Food preferences

8. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Characteristics Distinguishing Minority Group • Race • Religion • Beliefs • Customs or practices

9. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Physical Characteristics: Genetically Inherited Diseases • Tay-Sachs disease • Keloids • Lactase deficiency & lactose intolerance

10. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Psychological Characteristics • Consider patient’s perspective & concerns • Remember that different cultures & individuals interpret behaviors differently

11. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Reactions to Pain & Other Health Issues • Response to pain is culturally influenced • Patient in pain may not show it • Listen to patients who freely express their discomfort • Recognize influence of cultural & individual beliefs about health • Respect patient’s right to react to health care issues any way he wants to • Don’t stereotype a patient’s perceptions or responses based on culture

12. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Gender Roles • Dominant male role in many cultures • Recognize who is culturally dominant member of family

13. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Time Orientation • U.S.: punctuality is important • Other cultures (e.g., South Asian): punctuality not valued as highly • Different perceptions of past, present, & future

14. Cultural and Ethnic Differences (cont’d) • Food and Nutrition • Culture influences food preferences • Certain cultures have particular staple foods • Take cultural food differences into account when teaching about diet

15. Other Differences Among Individuals • Socioeconomic Factors • Family income affects health & access to health care • Upper income groups live longer & have fewer disabilities • Poverty often leads to inadequate care of infants & children • Poor housing conditions affect health

16. Other Differences Among Individuals (cont’d) • Age • Children & older adults less able to communicate symptoms, medication responses • Different health needs in young vs. old • Don’t make assumptions based on age of patient alone

17. Other Differences Among Individuals (cont’d) • Religion • Be sensitive to each patient’s values & beliefs

18. Diversity in Health Care Practices • Folk Medicine • Cutaneous stimulation • Therapeutic touch • Acupuncture • Acupressure

19. Diversity in Health Care Practices (cont’d) • Natural Remedies • Herbs • Be aware of possible interactions with prescriptions • Keep personal opinions & biases to yourself

20. Diversity in Health Care Practices (cont’d) • Complementary or Alternative Medicine • Healing through: • Nutrition • Exercise • Relaxation • Emphasis on preventive medicine • Often borrowed from the practice of ethnic or cultural groups

21. Diversity in Health Care Practices (cont’d) • Acupuncture: a healing practice that originated in China