Core Concepts in Cultural Competence

Core Concepts in Cultural Competence Key Concepts (printable) Cultural Competence Definition Cultural Competence is a pin down of values, behaviors, attitudes and practices within a system, organization, program or among individuals that enables them to work effectively across cultures.Cultural competence refers to the ability to pureness and respect the beliefs, language, interpersonal styles and behaviors or infantren and families receiving medical c ar, as well as those of the staff who are providing such(prenominal) perplexity. Cultural competence is a dynamic, ongoing developmental process that requires a long term dedication and is achieved over clock time. vitrines dissect Cultural Competence in the following examples instance 1 Maria Hernandez arrives tardily for her appointment, and explains that she spent a few hours with her elderly aunt on the way to her appointment.The nurse, Ella, greets Maria warmly and comments on Marias devotion to her fa mily. Ella understands that in the Hispanic community, caring for family often comes before an individual requirement such as an appointment. pattern 2 When Gina, the social worker, enters an examining room she is already alert to the fact that the family she is run across may pose views about healthcare that are different than her own.She inquires about the familys beliefs, drawing on her knowledge of the culture, only if primarily interested in what the family tells her about their unique views. Example 3 Fred, the pharmacist, run lows queer with an Asian family who has been using herbal remedies. With great authority, he tells them that they are doing the wrong thing. Fred is not behaving in a culturally competent manner. diligence When meeting a uncomplaining or family for the first time, be awake that their beliefs and practices may differ from your own. Try to learn as much as you git about the familys demeanor and how they view the world. C ulture Definition Culture is defined as the sum of ones beliefs, rituals, customs and practices that guide thinking, decisions and actions in a patterned way.They are learned throughout a lifetime and passed on through generations. Examples Examine Culture in the following examples Example 1 Among approximately cultures in India, the occasion on which a child first eats solid foods is celebrated with great ceremony. Example 2 Family is defined otherwise in different cultures in some cultures, family means primarily parents and children. In other cultures, family includes a oversize number of relatives, loosely related. Example 3 Disabilities are viewed differently in different cultures. In some cultures, people with disabilities are hidden, in others they are believed to be endowed with special gifts.In some cultures, people with disabilities are encouraged to become independent and live independently in others, it is the familys wish and responsibility to ca re for the disabled person. Application Because of differences between cultures, patients behaviors and beliefs may be different from ones own. Explanatory dumbfound Definition The Explanatory Model is the belief system that people from a given culture have about what has caused their illness and what the illness does to them.Patients beliefs about what forget help cure them depend on their informative model. Examples Examine the Explanatory Model in the following examples Example 1 A Romani patient may believe that bad luck, bad behavior or contamination has caused his illness. Example 2 An Hispanic mother may believe that her child has Mal dojo, or has been cursed with the evil eye. Example 3 An Asian patient may believe she is having a difficult birth because of an imbalance between angry and cold in her body. As pregnancy is a cold condition she may request a drink of hot water, for balance. Application In order to learn about your patients exp lanatory model, you may require to ask something like I know different people have very different slipway of understanding illnessPlease help me understand how you see things. health Beliefs Definition Patients beliefs about their health. wellness eliefs include cultural beliefs about what causes illness, what will help illness and who is best prepared to help the illness. The Health Belief Model as defined by Becker, postulates that patients weigh more general beliefs such as whether or not they really believe they are ill and whether they believe the treatment offered by the medico will offer relief, against potential disadvantages of the treatment. Examples Examine Health Beliefs in the following examples Example 1 A mothers health belief may involve the fancy that a particular amulet will protect her daughter. Example 2 Some Native American tribes health beliefs include the idea that taking a photograph of a person will rob the person of his or her soul. Example 3 A mother may believe that her daughter doesnt have asthma, but middling coughs occasionally and that the inhaled steroids are dangerous for her daughter. She may therefore decide that the potential risks of the medication outweigh the benefits. Application A patient whose health belief is that his illness is a punishment for past sins may not believe that biomedical care will help him. He may believe that he will only get better when he atones for his sins. Social Factors Definition Social Factors refer to environmental factors which strike how the family functions.These include (but are not limited to) financial factors (such as socioeconomic status or graphic symbol of or lack of insurance), logistical factors (such as transportation or juggling many demands), housing, childcare and fond health care. Social factors sometimes also include family relationships or family dynamics which affect a child or family member. This often, in t urn, influences emotional factors. Examples Some examples of Social Factors are Example 1 Some families do not buy medications that they need because they do not have insurance or cannot afford the co-pay. Example 2 A child may come to clinic dirty, not because the mother doesnt care about cleanliness but because the water has been off and the landlord refuses to return her phone calls. Example 3 A childs divorced parents may be angry at each other, causing tension in the family and interfering with the consistency of his care as he moves between their homes. Application It is always important to learn as much as you can about the social factors that affect a family. This will help you understand the choices they make and the constraints they are under. civilization Definition The adoption of the behavior patterns of the dominant culture the process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure. Acculturation is the process of acquiring a second culture.Assimilation is the process of replacing ones first culture with a second culture. Examples Some examples of Acculturation are Example 1 A first generation Italian who lives in an Italian enclave in he United States may continue to speak just Italian and to follow the norms and mores of his Italian origins. This person will not have become highly acculturated to American culture. Example 2 The granddaughter of a Chinese immigrant has gone to American schools and will now attend an American college. She spends time primarily with her American friends, dresses as they do and shares their values and interests.She has become highly acculturated into American culture. Application The spot to which a patient holds the health beliefs of his country-of-origin will depend in part on how acculturated he has become to American culture.