Chapter 6 Cultural Competency

Poverty

a major contributor to health disparities and a barrier to individuals meeting their basic human need for systemic and oral health

Collectivist environment

group is viewed as the fundamental unit of society

Subculture-

groups of people who have developed interests or goals DIFFERENT fr primary culture, based on occupation, sex orient, age, social class, or religion

Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Dental Hygiene

pg. 73

Self-determination

the process by which a person controls their own life

Understand the connection between culture and health.

• Cultural norms contribute to how members of a specific group determine explanations for ill health, health expectations, & to whom they turn fro treatment if they become ill o Health & illness not only physical conditions but based on perceptual judgements. o Way a person understand illness is largely determ culturally o Ex( health is predertem, tooth loss is normal part of aging, health status is a result of moral or religious behavior)

Review the tips for using an interpreter.

>They should be professionally certified & unrelated to pt >Should be the same sex as client if culturally required >Extend appt. time >Discuss focus of session w/ interpreter before pt arrives >Be clear about aim of session with the pt >Assess client's health literacy >Speak in short sentences for easier translation >Ask pt to repeat message in their own words to ensure comprehension >Focus on & make appropriate eye contact with the client , not interpreter >Ask if client has any additional questions, bc these will be difficult to answer when interpreter leaves

Health literacy

ability to understand health, disease, & how healthcare system works

Cultural sensitivity-

being aware that cultural differences and similarities exist that affect values, learning, and behavior o Characteristics of culturally sensitive comm are summarized in : Diversity Continuum in Communication o Emphasized self-awareness and self-explorations of clinician first to provide culturally competent care

Autonomy

it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision.

Why is it so important to communicate facts and not judgments when providing healthcare?

Openness, caring, & mutual respect are essential for effective communication, regardless of cultural differences. A nonjudgemental attitude is pivotal to success. The care provider, being in a professional position, should initiate the cultural encounter by communicating facts NOT judgments

Cultural competence-

ability of a care provider to interact with clients who are different fr them o Understand local cultures & culturally influenced healthcare practices to comm. With, educate, motivate people fr diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds so they achieve optimal health

Health inequities

are result of complex interactions b/w biologic, lifestyle, environmental, social, and economic factors

Ethnocentrism-

belief that one's culture is superior to that of other o Viewed as: judgemental, condescending, insulting, narrow-minded

Health Inequalities (as defined by WHO)

differences in health status or the distribution of health determinants b/w different population groups

Indiviualist culture

individual appreciates & feels empowered by this process

Cultural competence-

involves awareness of one's own biases or prejudices and is root in respect, validation, and openness toward differences

Differentiate between verbal and nonverbal communication.

o Verbal Comm.- use an interpreter w/ no relation to client o Nonverbal Comm.-amount of eye contact, physical contact ( necessary> EOIO nonnecessary> can convey feeling of empathy, closeness, comfort)

Stereotyping-

often-erroneous assumption that a person possesses certain characteristics or traits simply bc he or she is a member of a particular group o Fails to recognize uniqueness of individual, clouds perceptions makes DH less effective as clinicians and humans

Culture-

set of guidelines that one can inherit as a member of a particular group or society o Includes: belief, traditions, experiences, customs, rituals, language o Influence way the members view the world