Interdisciplinary Cultural Competence
Diversity/ cross-cultural teaching is valuable. This type of training can change attitudes, knowledge and skills in an organization and in life. There is a lot of diversity in the world and it is crucial to recognize our own prejudices and feelings in order to become culturally competent.
When we start to recognize and examine our own views and prejudices, we will change our attitudes. I was raised by parents who are accepting of all cultures and ethnicities. However, they and my grandparents often said things that could be considered prejudice. I followed with my actions and words. However, I became aware about why certain cultures behave in a certain way, my attitude changed and I started to become aware of my own actions. For example, I was raised on a farm and have always been a meat eater. My dad often complained about vegetarians and animal rights activists. Therefore, I had a hard time understanding why people became vegetarian when I was younger. I met several people who are vegetarian as I got older. A few of the people are coworkers who are of Hindu faith. They educated me about the religion and I now know that they believe in reincarnation and do not et meat because of the belief. Understanding the faith helped to change my attitude. They provided me with knowledge in this instance.
Knowledge of other cultures is essential to become more culturally competent. However, even if we know about other cultures, our own culture can dictate our actions towards other people. I can go back to my previous example. Even though my parents are not prejudice, they sometimes use words and phrases that are offensive. Knowing and recognizing our own feelings or words used towards other cultures will help us to become empathetic. I often pause to think of the other person and try to put myself in his shoes. This practice has helped me to be more culturally competent. Practicing skills like this is an important part of diversity/ cross-cultural training.
Diversity/cross-cultural training uses tools and information that help people to examine themselves and how they react to other cultures. Learning about ourselves while learning about others changes our attitudes and knowledge about everyone. The knowledge gained from training and practicing the skills taught in training helps on the path to cultural competency.
I found a common definition of cultural competence that is useful in a broad range of fields. It is:
“Cultural Competence refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each.” (Culture Connections) I think this definition adequately and concisely conveys the goal of cultural competency.
As I read the definition above, I reflect on my three learning goals. My first goal is to evaluate how I treat patients based on my prior assumptions and prejudices. I thought that I was good at this until I took the quiz. I realize that I have been out of practice. I have been consciously evaluating my thoughts as I review a patient chart. When I notice that I judge or make assumptions about the patient before our encounter, I redirect my thoughts and feelings. My second goal is to learn ways to better understand the patient's medical history, better explain a diagnosis and make the patient feel comfortable during the visit. I found out that I may not be communicating effectively or making the patient feel at ease based on the quiz. I did not know that body language could be interpreted so many ways. I am working towards this goal by reviewing information that was provided in my Cultural Diversity course. I am also asking my patients questions to get to know them as well as reviewing the chart. When I give a patient instructions, I started asking if he can explain my instructions. My final goal is related to the second. The goal was to learn how to talk to the patient and his/ her family. This will help me determine normal practices in the patient's culture in regard to topics such as healthcare decisions and diet. Reviewing information and having more open communication with the patient and her family has helped in my pursuit of the goal.
References:
The provider's guide to quality and culture. erc.msh.org Web site. http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=1.0.htm&module=provider&language=English&ggroup=&mgroup=. Published 2008. Updated 2008. Accessed 4/9, 2017.
What is cultural competence? Culture Connections Web site. http://cultureconnectionsnj.org/what-is-cultural-competence/. Published 2012. Updated 2017. Accessed 4/26, 2017.
When we start to recognize and examine our own views and prejudices, we will change our attitudes. I was raised by parents who are accepting of all cultures and ethnicities. However, they and my grandparents often said things that could be considered prejudice. I followed with my actions and words. However, I became aware about why certain cultures behave in a certain way, my attitude changed and I started to become aware of my own actions. For example, I was raised on a farm and have always been a meat eater. My dad often complained about vegetarians and animal rights activists. Therefore, I had a hard time understanding why people became vegetarian when I was younger. I met several people who are vegetarian as I got older. A few of the people are coworkers who are of Hindu faith. They educated me about the religion and I now know that they believe in reincarnation and do not et meat because of the belief. Understanding the faith helped to change my attitude. They provided me with knowledge in this instance.
Knowledge of other cultures is essential to become more culturally competent. However, even if we know about other cultures, our own culture can dictate our actions towards other people. I can go back to my previous example. Even though my parents are not prejudice, they sometimes use words and phrases that are offensive. Knowing and recognizing our own feelings or words used towards other cultures will help us to become empathetic. I often pause to think of the other person and try to put myself in his shoes. This practice has helped me to be more culturally competent. Practicing skills like this is an important part of diversity/ cross-cultural training.
Diversity/cross-cultural training uses tools and information that help people to examine themselves and how they react to other cultures. Learning about ourselves while learning about others changes our attitudes and knowledge about everyone. The knowledge gained from training and practicing the skills taught in training helps on the path to cultural competency.
I found a common definition of cultural competence that is useful in a broad range of fields. It is:
“Cultural Competence refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms, and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each.” (Culture Connections) I think this definition adequately and concisely conveys the goal of cultural competency.
As I read the definition above, I reflect on my three learning goals. My first goal is to evaluate how I treat patients based on my prior assumptions and prejudices. I thought that I was good at this until I took the quiz. I realize that I have been out of practice. I have been consciously evaluating my thoughts as I review a patient chart. When I notice that I judge or make assumptions about the patient before our encounter, I redirect my thoughts and feelings. My second goal is to learn ways to better understand the patient's medical history, better explain a diagnosis and make the patient feel comfortable during the visit. I found out that I may not be communicating effectively or making the patient feel at ease based on the quiz. I did not know that body language could be interpreted so many ways. I am working towards this goal by reviewing information that was provided in my Cultural Diversity course. I am also asking my patients questions to get to know them as well as reviewing the chart. When I give a patient instructions, I started asking if he can explain my instructions. My final goal is related to the second. The goal was to learn how to talk to the patient and his/ her family. This will help me determine normal practices in the patient's culture in regard to topics such as healthcare decisions and diet. Reviewing information and having more open communication with the patient and her family has helped in my pursuit of the goal.
References:
The provider's guide to quality and culture. erc.msh.org Web site. http://erc.msh.org/mainpage.cfm?file=1.0.htm&module=provider&language=English&ggroup=&mgroup=. Published 2008. Updated 2008. Accessed 4/9, 2017.
What is cultural competence? Culture Connections Web site. http://cultureconnectionsnj.org/what-is-cultural-competence/. Published 2012. Updated 2017. Accessed 4/26, 2017.
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