1. Unit 8 Cultural Diversity

2. 8:1 Culture, Ethnicity and Race
Health care workers work with and provide care to many different people
Respect the individuality of each person
Be aware of factors that cause each person to be unique
Uniqueness is influenced by many things including:
Physical characteristics, family life, social status, religion, education, occupation, life experiences
Major influence is cultural/ethnic heritage
Uniqueness influenced by many things including:
- Physical characteristics, family life, social status, religion, education, occupation, life experiences

3. Culture
Definition: Values, beliefs, attitudes, language, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people
Influences our family relations, education, occupational choices, social interactions, spirituality, food preferences, health beliefs
Passed from one generation to next
Foundation of behavior, but variances
Often defined as a set of rules
Culture provides individual with design for living
Not uniform among all members within a cultural group, but does provide a foundation for behavior

4. Culture – Four basic characteristics
Culture is learned - culture is taught to others, children learn patterns of behavior by imitating adults
Culture is shared - common practices and beliefs are shared with others
Social in nature - individuals understand appropriate behavior based on traditions that have been passed from generation to generation
Dynamic and constantly changing - allows a cultural group to meet the needs of the group by adapting to environmental changes
Learned – culture is taught to others, children learn patterns of behavior by imitating adults
Shared – common practices and beliefs are shared with others
Social – individuals understand appropriate behavior based on traditions that have been passed from generation to generation
Dynamic – new ideas may generate different standards for behavior, allows a cultural group to meet the needs of the group by adapting to environmental changes

5. Ethnicity
Definition: Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture
Share common heritage, national origin, social customs, language, and beliefs
Common ethnic groups in US:
African American, Asian American, European American, Hispanic American, Arabic American, Native American
Subgroups within larger ethnic groups
Not all members of an ethnic group practice all of the beliefs of the group, the individual is still influenced by other members of the group
Subgroups have own lifestyle and beliefs
Example: European American includes Italian and German, two very different cultures

6. Race
Definition: Classification of people based on physical or biological factors
Color of skin, hair, and eyes
Facial features
Blood types
Bone structure
Race cuts across multiple ethnic/cultural groups
- Different races present in most ethnic groups

7. 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”?
culture, ethnicity and race do influence an individual’s behavior, self-perception, judgment of others and interpersonal relationships
- Melting pot – term used to represent the absorption of many cultures into the dominant culture
Process known as Cultural Assimilation
Requires that the newly arrived cultural group discard unique beliefs and behaviors and adopt the ways of the dominant culture
Salad Bowl – cultural differences are appreciated and respected
Simultaneous existence of various ethnic/cultural groups
A multicultural society that recognizes and respects many different beliefs

8. Acculturation
Definition: 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
Occurs slowly over a long period
Recent immigrants to the US are more likely to use the language and follow the patterns of behavior of the country from which they emigrated
2nd and 3rd generation Americans are more likely to use English as main language

9. 8:2 Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping
Bias: preference that inhibits impartial judgment
Examples of common biases: age, education, physical, sexual preference
Prejudice: strong feelings or beliefs about a person or subject; pre-judging others without reviewing facts or information; often based on fear
Stereotyping: making the assumption that everyone in a group is the same
Bias – age, education, physical, sexual preference
Prejudice – pre-judge, ppl who are prejudiced believe their behavior is rihgt and other’s ideas are wrong, afraid of things that are different, in HC, need to learn about lots of diff ppl and cultures to ensure understanding of the patient and communicate successfully
Stereotyping – ignotes individual characteristcs and labels individuals

10. Bias, Prejudice, and Stereotyping
Creates barriers to effective relationships
Health care workers must be aware and avoid these feelings and assumptions
Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping:
Be aware of own personal/professional beliefs
Obtain info about other ethnic and culture groups
Be sensitive to behaviors and practices of others
Respect others’ beliefs, but you don’t have to adopt
Avoid offensive jokes
Apologize if you hurt someone’s feelings. Forgive if someone hurts you.

11. 8:3 Understanding Cultural Diversity
Cultural and ethnic beliefs will affect behavior
Health care workers must be aware of these beliefs to provide holistic care
Meets needs of whole person, body and mind
Respect language, personal space, touching, eye contact, gestures, health care belief, spirituality, etc.
See Table 8-1 in text (pg 201 – 202)

12. Family Organization
Structure of a family must be identified, especially the dominant or decision-making person
Family structure may be different due to culture & ethnicity
Nuclear – mother, father, children
Extended – nuclear + grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins

13. Family Organization
Patriarchal Family – father (or oldest male) is authority figure
Matriarchal Family – mother (or oldest female) is authority figure
Recognition and acceptance of family organization is essential for health care providers
Talk with patient and ask questions to determine who is the decision maker.
Be ready to hear a patient say, “I have to check with my spouse before I make a decision.” 13

14. Family Organization
To determine patient’s family structure and learn about patient’s preferences, ask questions.
Who are the members of your family?
Do you have any children? Who will care for them while you are sick?
Do you have an extended family?
Who will be caring for you while you are sick?
Who is the head of the household?
Where do you and your family live?
Do you have family members who will be visiting?

15. Language Language and communication is an integral part of heath care
Be ready to communicate with patients who speak another language
Try to find an interpreter if necessary
Speak slowly, use simple words, gestures or pictures
Do not just speak louder
Some states require the medical permit be printed in the patient’s language.
Be aware of legal requirements for non-English speaking patients

16. 8:4 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
Inherent, but may alter with experiences
Health care workers must be aware and respect differences