Cultural Diversity Culture, Ethnicity and Race

Cultural. Ethnicity & Race Health care providers must work with and provide care to many different people and respect the unique individuality of each person.

Factors of Uniqueness Physical characteristics Family Life Socioeconomic status Religious Beliefs Geographical Location

Factors of Uniqueness Education Occupation Life experiences Cultural & Ethnic heritage- major influence on individual uniqueness.

Culture Defined as values, beliefs, attitudes, language, symbols, rituals, behaviors and customs unique to a particular group of people.

Culture Passed from one generation to another. Set of rules designed for living. Not uniform among all members, but provides a foundation for behaviors.

Culture Culture is learned: Culture does not just happen. It is taught and imitated by adults.

Culture Culture is social in nature: Individuals in the same cultural group understands appropriate behaviors based on traditions.

Culture Culture is dynamic and constantly changing: New ideas may generate different standards for behaviors and adapting to environmental changes.

Ethnicity Classification of people based on national origin and/or cultural. Common heritage, geographic location, social customs, language and beliefs.

Ethnic Groups & Countries African- Americans Central & South Africa Dominican Republic Haiti Jamaica

Ethnic Groups & Countries Asian- Americans Cambodia China India Japan Korea Philippines

Ethnic Groups & Countries European- Americans England France Germany Ireland Poland Russia

Ethnic Groups & Countries Hispanic- Americans Cuba Mexico Puerto Rico Spain Central & South America

Ethnic Groups & Countries Middle Eastern/Arab Americans Egypt Iran Palestine Saudi Arabia North Africa Middle East

Ethnic Groups & Countries Native Americans American Indians (500 tribes) Eskimos

Race Classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics: Color of skin, hair, & eyes Facial features Bone structure

Cultural Diversity When culture, ethnicity and race influence an individual’s behavior, self-concept, judgment of others and interpersonal relationships.

Cultural Diversity Cultural Assimilation- “melting pot” represents the different cultures blending into the dominant culture. “Salad Bowl”-cultural differences are appreciated and respected.

Cultural Acculturation Process of learning the beliefs and behaviors and assuming some of the characteristics of the dominant culture.

Bias Bias-preference that prevents impartial judgment. Ex: Young people are physically and mentally superior to older people.

Bias Ethnocentric-believing that your cultural values are superior than the cultural values of others. Ex: Antagonizing and being unfriendly toward people from other cultures.

Prejudice Strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information. Prejudiced individuals regard their ideas or behaviors as right and other ideas or behaviors are wrong.

Prejudice Prejudiced individuals are frequently afraid of things that are different. Prejudice causes fear and distrust and interferes with interpersonal relationships.

Stereotyping When an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same. Ignores individual characteristics and “labels” an individual.

Avoiding Bias, Prejudice & Stereotyping Barriers to effective communication and relationships with others. Know your own personal and professional values and beliefs.

Avoiding Bias, Prejudice & Stereotyping Be sensitive to behaviors and practices different from your own. Avoid offense jokes. Evaluate all information before you form an opinion.

Understanding Cultural Diversity Health Team Relations

Understanding Cultural Diversity Holistic Care-provides for the well-being of the whole person.

Family Organization Nuclear Extended

Nuclear or Extended Hispanic American Native American Polish American Italian American African American British American

Family Organization PatriarchalMatriarchal

Language Dominant language in U.S. is ENGLISH What percent of U.S. population speaks a language other than English at home? 20% Health care workers must ask questions to determine the patient’s ability to communicate. When possible, find a translator.

Techniques for Non-English Speaking Patients Speak slowly and use simple words Use gestures or pictures Use non-verbal – smile and touch DON’T speak louder Learn a few essential words and phrases

Personal Space and Touch Close contact vs. distant contact cultures Stay out of my space!

Personal Space and Touch Arab French & Latin Americans Hispanic Americans Gender European & African Americans Asian Americans Cambodia Vietnamese Middle Eastern Native American

Eye Contact European Americans Maintaining eye contact sign of interest and trustworthiness

Eye Contact What about other cultures?

Gestures Hand gestures mean different things in different countries. Health care workers must be sensitive when using hand gestures

Health Care Beliefs Biomedical Health Care System or “Western” System- most common health care system in the US. Cause of disease is based on: microorganisms, diseased cell and the aging process.

Health Care Beliefs Eliminating the microorganism, conquering the disease process and preventing the aging process becomes the focus. Health care providers in the US are biomedically trained.

Health Care Beliefs Encourage patients to learn about their illnesses. Inform patients about terminal diseases. Teaching self-care and preventive care. Use medications to treat and/or cure diseases or illnesses.

Health Care Beliefs All individuals have the right to choose the type of health care system and method of treatment they feel is best. Health care providers must respect this right.

Spirituality & Religion Spirituality-the beliefs individuals have about themselves, their connections with others and their relationship with a higher power.

Spirituality & Religion Religion-an organized system of beliefs in a superhuman power or higher power. Atheist-is a person who does not believe in the deity. Agnostic-is a person who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved.