Communication and Cultural Diversity

You will encounter people from very diverse backgrounds. Working in medical facilities, you will be interacting with people from many cultures. It is important for you to be aware of the differences in cultures, respect those from other cultures and adapt to the situation. Your textbook gives examples of the core values of many different ethnic groups that are more prevalent in the United States (Chapter 10 - Pages 115-125).

Human Diversity

Human diversity includes cultural diversity.

Cultural diversity deals with the variety of human societies and cultures and examines their similarities and differences. These differences are what make each person unique and valuable in his or her own right.

Society is made up of many cultures. These cultures establish behaviors of people and can be for a lifetime and provide comfort.

It is important for you to know and understand the differences in cultures and people. The more you know, the better you will be able to communicate.

Cultural Globalization

Globalization means that people now cross borders into other countries to work, go to school, receive medical care, visit, and live.

Nations, societies, and businesses have become increasingly cross-cultural or multicultural.

We are all affected by a changing world society.

Human Diversity Characteristics

There are many human diversity characteristics that we must take into consideration. Diversity is not limited to ethnicity. We need to consider:

•Age

•Ethnicity or national origin

•Race

•Gender or sexual orientation

•Mental and physical ability

•Work style or ethic

•Geographic location

•Lifestyle

•Physical features

•Economic conditions

•Political beliefs

•Religious beliefs

•First language

•Disability

•Education

 

Commication is key!

You need to ensure that your patient understands any communication between the two of you and you must understand the communication as well.

Here are some things to consider when working with different cultures.

1. Most cultures are concerned with appearance and dress. People often make judgments based on the way another looks and dresses. As healthcare professionals, our appearance is very important.

2. Body movement is important. For example, facing away from or towards a person, leaning away from or towards a person or moving away from or towards a person can be significant with different cultures.

3. It is important to consider posture. For example, bowing shows rank in Japan, but it is not done in the US. What we may consider acceptable in the United States, may be offensive in other cultures. Slouching or having your hands in your pockets is rude in some countries.

4. In some countries, it is unacceptable to be animated while talking. It is very common in the United States to see people constantly moving their hands, arms or entire bodies while speaking.

5. Some cultures do not show any facial expressions, while others have very animated facial expressions. A facial expression can mean different things in different cultures.

6. Eye contact is significant. for many cultures, keeping direct eye contact shows that you're interested in the conversation with the other person. In other cultures, eye contact is avoided to show respect.

7. Touch can be one of the most important forms of nonverbal communication. You must be aware of a person's personal space at all times. Something as simple as a handshake can be an insult to someone from another country. In one culture, it may be unacceptable for one gender to touch another. In another culture, only certain body parts can be touched. Yet in another culture, it is unacceptable to be touched at all. So, always be aware of another's personal space. Don't be offended if a patient does not want to shake your hand, etc.

 

Cultural Diversity and Health Care

To provide high-quality care to all patients, you need to understand these six areas of human cultural diversity.

1. Communication - A patient needs to understand what you are telling them. If he/she understands what is going to take place, it will take away a lot of his/her anxiety.

2. Space - Personal space is very important in some cultures. Always remember some people do not like to be touched. When you need to invade someone's personal space or touch them in order to complete a radiographic exam, you need to warn them. You must make sure that you're telling every patient what you're going to do before you do it.

3. Time - Some cultures follow the values of the past, some the present and some look into the future. You must be able to convey to your patient that as a health care professional, you are there to provide services that will help physicians prevent and treat illnesses.

4. Environmental control - This is the ability of the patient to control nature and what is happening to him/her.

5. Biologic variations - Cultures have difference in their biological make-up, such as, skin type and color, hair type, etc. With these variations comes susceptibility to different illnesses and diseases.

6. Social organizations - The roles of individuals varies among the different cultures. Some rely on elders, but others may rely on their children.

 

"Always remember that you are unique, just like everybody else." .......Anonymous