1. DHO Ch. 9, pg 257 HS1 Berryhill & Cashion 2016-2017
Cultural Diversity
DHO Ch. 9, pg 257
HS1 Berryhill & Cashion

2. 9:1 Culture, Ethnicity, and Race
Health care workers are involved with many different people
Respect individuality
Be aware of factors that cause each person to be unique such as physical characteristics, family life, socioeconomic status, religion, geographical location
Any major Influence is on an person’s uniqueness is their cultural/ethnic heritage

3. Culture
Values, beliefs, attitudes, language, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people
Passed from one generation to next
Often defined set of rules

4. Culture
Foundation of behavior, like a blue print for living, but there can be variances between people in the same cultural group
Ex. Family relations, child rearing, education, occupational choice, spiritual/religious, and food

5. Culture Culture has 4 basic characteristics:
Culture is learned-from child to adult
Culture is shared-common beliefs
Social in nature-traditions passed down
Dynamic and constantly changing-new ideas generate new standards of behavior

6. Ethnicity
Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture
Share common heritage, geographic location, national origin, social customs, language, and beliefs
Common ethnic groups
Subgroups within larger ethnic groups

7. Ethnicity Common ethnic groups in the USA: African American
Asian/Pacific American
European American
Hispanic American
Middle Eastern/Arabic American
Native American

8. Race Based on physical or biological factors
Color of skin, hair, and eyes
Facial features
Blood types
Bone structure
Race cuts across multiple ethnic and cultural groups

9. Cultural Diversity
Differences among people resulting from cultural, ethnic, and racial factors
These differences influence a person’s behavior
Differences exist within ethnic/cultural groups
United States called a “melting pot,” or is it more accurately a “salad bowl?”

10. Acculturation
Process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics
Every individual has unique blend of characteristics
Need to develop sensitivity to differences

11. Sensitivity
The ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others
HCW provide care to culturally diverse people
Must be aware of this and remember that no person is all of the traits

12. Bias
Bias: preference or inclination that inhibits impartial judgment (ex. People who believe in the supremacy of their own group are ethnocentric)
Common biases: age, education, economic, physical size, occupation, sexual preference, gender

13. Prejudice
Prejudice: strong feelings or beliefs about a person or subject; pre-judging others without reviewing facts or information; often based on fear
Regard their ideas and beliefs as right and other’s ideas and beliefs as wrong

14. Stereotyping
Stereotyping: making the assumption that everyone in a group is the same
Labels a person
Examples are blondes, race, sex, body size

15. Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping
Creates barriers to relationships
Health care workers need to avoid feelings and assumptions
Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping

16. Ways to Avoid Bias, Prejudice, Stereotyping
Know and be aware of your own personal beliefs
Be sensitive to other’s behaviors and practices
Develop friendships with wide variety of people
Ask questions and share ideas and beliefs
Avoid offensive jokes
Mistakes happen-apologize

17. 9:3 Understanding Cultural Diversity
Cultural and ethnic beliefs will affect behavior
Health care worker needs to be aware of these beliefs to meet the physical, social, emotional, and mental needs of individuals
Areas of diversity: family organization, language, personal space & touch, time orientation, eye contact, gestures, healthcare beliefs, spirituality/religion

18. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Family organization
Nuclear
Extended
Patriarchal versus matriarchal
Recognition and acceptance of family organization is essential in all aspects of the health care field

19. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Language
Ask questions such as “English your primary language?” or “What language spoken at home?” or “Do you read or do you read English?” or “Do you have family or friend who can interpret for you?”
Use an interpreter when possible
Use simple words, DO NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE
Use printed information if available

20. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Personal space and touch
Close contact vs distant contact
Examples:
French and Latin-stand very close together
Hispanic Americans: comfortable with close contact but use hugs and handshakes
Asian Americans: stand close but do not touch

21. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Eye contact
Differences can cause misunderstandings
Eu. Am. Eye contact means trust and interest/listening
Asian Am. Direct contact rude
Hispanic & AA use brief contact and then look away for respect and attentiveness

22. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Gestures
Body movement to communicate
Yes and no in America, but in India it’s the opposite!
Pointing in America, but to Asian and Native Americans is a threat
Health care beliefs (See Table 9-1 in text)
Spirituality and religion (See Table 9-2 in text)

23. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Health care beliefs
Western System of medicine
Alternative health care growing in USA such as chiropractors, homeopaths, naturopaths, hypnotists
See Table 9-1 in text on pg 265

24. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Spirituality and religion
Spirituality= beliefs people have about themselves, their connection with others, and their relationship with a higher power
Aka the need to find meaning and purpose in life
Individualized and personal set of beliefs that can change during life
Spirituality often expressed thru religion
BUT they are not the same
See Table 9-2 in text on pg 268

25. Understanding Cultural Diversity
Religion=organized system of beliefs in a superhuman power or higher power
Associated with particular form or place of worship
Monotheists
Polytheists
Atheist
Agnostic
See Table 9-2 in text on pg 268

26. 9:4 Respect Cultural Diversity
Regard each individual as unique
Everyone adopts beliefs and forms a pattern of behavior based on culture, ethnicity, race, life experiences, spirituality, and religion
Health care workers must learn to respect differences in individuals