Chapter 2 Multicultural Therapeutic Communication

Developing Cultural Communication OBJECTIVES –List and describe a minimum of 5 techniques to employ when communicating with individuals of other cultures. –Discuss barriers to multicultural therapeutic communication and suggest ways these barriers may be decreased or eliminated –Identify cultural biases/prejudices that may be experienced in today’s health care environments. –Discuss recognized types of medicine: Western medicine, holistic medicine, oriental medicine, and folk medicine.

Communicating with Clients of Diverse Cultures Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and allow time for the client to process the information and respond Demonstrate an interest of the culture or background Communicate effectively while putting personal biases and prejudices aside Gain knowledge of the beliefs and rituals of different cultures Develop techniques that foster multicultural communication Recognize barriers to multicultural communication *Identify, resolve, and satisfy the healthcare needs of the client with respect to help them be at ease

Barriers to Therapeutic Cultural Communication Lack of knowledge Fear, distrust Racism Bias, prejudice, ethnocentrism Stereotyping

Barriers Healthcare rituals Language Perceptions, expectations

Cultural Biases Experienced in Healthcare Facilities Unwillingness of HCP to accept the uniqueness or difference in another’s culture Preference for Western medicine Client choosing Physician according to gender Prejudices & discrimination based on sexual preference, gender identity, age, sex, race, religion, and disease Ethnocentrism Believing socio-economic class determines the amount of “care”

Therapeutic Response Approach client slowly, respectfully Create culturally comfortable environment Listen to client, observe culture Validate, ask questions Recognize nonverbal gestures, mannerisms

Examples of Cultures Caucasian, Western African American, Western Black, African or Caribbean Asian Native American, South Sea Island Hispanic and Latino

Religion-Based Cultures Judaism –Sabbath, kosher food, Passover Hinduism and Buddhism –Vegetarian, fasting, modesty Muslim –Non-pork, daily prayers, decisions

Medical Interpreters Cultural broker, cultural facilitator Legal use of interpreters Best use of interpreters Role of clients, physicians, health professionals

Therapeutic Response Assess if interpreter is needed Discuss causes of illness: if, how treated Ascertain use of holistic or folk medicine Continue use of holistic or folk medicine, if possible

Western Medicine Bacterial, viral cause Diagnosis by –Scientific tests –Observation of client symptoms Treatment by –Surgery –Medications

Holistic Medicine Personal accountability for one’s health Body’s ability to heal itself Balance of mind, body, spirit with environment Treatment modalities –Acupuncture, biofeedback –Folk medicine, meditation, yoga

Oriental/Eastern Medicine Body balance of energy, opposing states Practiced in home, religious settings Home remedy medications Unlikely to share folk medicine usages Treatment modalities

Folk Medicine Home remedy medication handed down Some harmless, others dangerous Practiced in homes, religious settings Treatment modalities –Prayer, use of holy water, oil –Wear charms, bracelets May not share treatments tried

-MAYA ANGELOU “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”