Cultural Diversity

1. Cultural Diversity

2. OBJECTIVES • At the end of the session, the participant will be able to: • Differentiate between generalization and stereotyping. • Differentiate between ethnocentrism and cultural relativity. • Define cultural competency

3. What is Culture? • Definition: • a pattern of learned, group related perceptions - including verbal and non-verbal language, attitudes, values, belief systems, disbelief systems and behaviors - that is accepted and expected by an identity group.

4. What is Culture? (con’t) • Culture is • abstract • generalized • flexible • different for everyone • Culture is not • concrete • stereotypical • rigid • the same for everyone

5. Cultural Competence • Cultural competence: A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together as a system, that system, agency or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. The word “culture” is used because it implies the integrated pattern of human thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values and institutions of a racial, ethnic, religious or social group. The word “competence” is used because it implies having a capacity to function effectively

6. Cultural Diversity in Healthcare • Knowledge of Cultural Diversity is vital at all levels of healthcare. • It is essential that the healthcare worker considers specific cultural factors impacting individual patients. • Each patient must be assessed for individual cultural differences.

7. What Healthcare Workers Brings • Personal cultural heritage • Educational culture • Educational philosophy

8. Managing Diversity • Remember: • the individual is the focus, the culture is the background • there are generational differences in the same culture and/or family • cultural awareness demonstrates sensitivity, concern and respect • avoid assuming you know what someone believes

9. Managing Diversity (con’t) • Remember: • not everyone identifies with their culture or ethnicity • the patient is their own cultural expert - ask them • avoid stereotyping • respect the integrity of the cultural beliefs of others

10. Managing Diversity (con’t) • Hints for success - • Be aware of your own perceptions about others and how they influence your behavior • Be aware of your own cultural behaviors • Learn to recognize when your perceptions of others are stereotypical - keep an open mind • Remember - there is no “one way” to treat any racial or ethnic group

11. One Final Note • Diversity is often far greater within a group than betweengroups. • Important intergenerational differences exist within any culture. • “Cookbook” approaches to working with people from diverse sociocultural backgrounds are not useful. • the risk of destructive stereotyping and/or overgeneralization is great.

12. Remember Understanding patients' diverse cultures — their values, traditions, history and institutions — is not simply political correctness, it is integral to eliminating health care disparities and providing high-quality patient care. In a culturally diverse society, physicians and others in health care delivery need sensitivity toward diverse patient populations and work to understand culturally influenced health behaviors