Personal Biases
Everyone has some degree of bias. Bias is a real human characteristic and needs to be addressed.
Personal biases, even without conscious thought, play a major role in how individuals perceive others. Dealing with bias requires education and knowledge of other cultures.
Assimilation vs. Biculturalism
Assimilation is described as the process by which persons of a diverse (different) culture, over time, give up their original cultural language and identify with, and try to merge into, another culture (usually the majority). This requires the person to give up some of their values, accomplishments, beliefs, and so on, in order to "blend in" with the mainstream.
Biculturalism is the ability of individuals to be able to negotiate competently two or more cultures: the mainstream culture and the individual's own culture. This is a comfortable balance for the individual, between cultures.
Embracing Diversity
We must embrace human cultural diversity if we want to successfully communicate with our patients. So, we must have:
-Knowledge of cultural differences
-Respect for others and self
-Know your personal biases and how to overcome them
-Understand the values of the individual regardless of his or her condition in life
-Seek to learn from others you meet and interact with
-Appreciate the societal value of multiculturalism
-Empathy for others