ipl-logo

Cultural Awareness Essay

1416 Words6 Pages

Cultural awareness and cultural knowledge are hugely important in the society we live in today. Ireland is transforming into a society of many cultures as growing numbers of people from various ethnic backgrounds and cultures settle here. With 18% of the Irish population in 2030 expected to be foreign national (HSE, 2012) an effort must be made to adapt to these cultures within our healthcare system. All patients have the right to knowledge and information regarding their condition, and it is important that healthcare providers communicate this information in a professional manner. Communication plays a vital role in cultural awareness. It is important to acknowledging the existing cultural diversity in our society and take the correct measures …show more content…

This makes it very hard for any patient to comprehend, in particular those who do not speak fluent English. According to a study carried out by Lerner et al. (2000) there is a deficiency in patients understanding medical terminology. Health care professionals also need to be more conscious of the language and vocabulary used when communicating with patients. Patients often feel intimidated and vulnerable when in a healthcare setting. This can cause fear and apprehension with asking questions and voicing their opinion. It is important to pay extra attention to this issue as it can cause further anxiety. Due to the vast cultural diversity in our society today, many people may not have had any formal education and may be unable to read or write. Health care professionals must not make presumptions and must be aware of these situations. It is important as a health care professional to take the time to effectively communicate with the patient and ensure they understand any paperwork which they may be given. Special attention must also be given to the deaf and blind population. Deaf people whether they speak or sign hear with their eyes (Middleton, 2010). This proves the importance of visual communication with this population. In relation to the blind population health care professionals must also take the correct measures in effective communication. This would include clear concise language which is easy to understand. Complicated medical terminology should be

Show More
Related
206 Words | 1 Pages

After reading Dr. Galanti 's articles about culturally competent healthcare please answer the following questions: What did you gain from reading Dr. Galanti 's article? Dr. Galanti provides insight into the relationship between cultural diversity and heath care providers. Dr. Galanti’s briefly states the difference between “stereotype and generalization”. The author recognizes that generalization may be a key factor used by workers in the health care community to bring awareness and a better understanding of cultural differences among patients. The article explains that although cultures differ in values, traditions, and beliefs, there are questions (the 4’C’s of culture) that may open up the line of communication, between provider and

Read More
623 Words | 3 Pages

Cultural and language barriers play an important role in patient-provider communication. American health care system is unique among industrialized countries in areas such as technology, scientific discoveries, laws and codes of conduct related to the healthcare system. Despite these advances, the American healthcare system is inefficient compared to other advanced industrialized countries’ healthcare systems. After reading, “The Spirit Catches you and you Fall Down” by Anne Fadiman, uncovers the area that we need to focus on to be a more efficient healthcare system. Evidence and statistics suggest that population in the United States is growing to be more culturally diverse.

Read More
965 Words | 4 Pages

The case of Lia Lee can be used holistically to showcase the negative effects which a culture and language barrier can produce between doctor and patient. It can reveal how communication and cultural sensitivity can aid in medical practice. Nevertheless, Lia’s case also shows the need for doctors and healthcare practitioners to learn more of about a culture so that treatment may be administered smoothly and without complete comprehension of the patient and their

Read More
471 Words | 2 Pages

Cultural competency can be described as the ability to interact with different cultures in a positive manner. Many cultural differences can become apparent in a number of situations. According to Fadiman, doctors have a moral duty to save lives even if they don’t agree with the values or beliefs of someone else’s culture (1997). This paper will address the topic of cultural competency, with a concentration on the importance of cultural competency in the medical field. It is hard to imagine how frustrating it may be to come across a patient that resists a professional’s opinion because they have solid beliefs or do not understand what doctors are attempting to convey.

Read More
238 Words | 1 Pages

When it comes to a patient that does not speak English the first thing we have to do is find someone capable and a professional to translate, complying with all the HIPAA regulations are being taken care of and not violated. Whether it is a live person, over the phone service or if available online. We cannot ask a family member to serve as a translator because we might break the patient confidentiality if the patient does not want anybody knowing his diagnosis and the procedures being done to them. With a deaf patient first we have to find out what is the best way to communicate with the patient if by reading lips always face them forward so they can read our lips, speaking clearly so they can understand a little better what we are trying

Read More
551 Words | 3 Pages

I think this way it will help nurses to have more knowledge with different culture consideration when taking care of their patients and their

Read More
254 Words | 2 Pages

Cultural competency is increasingly important in healthcare today. In America today, we are facing a lot of tension between cultures today. America is a very diverse country with many cultures co-existing and in order to properly care for patients professionals need to be able to understand and tend to their cultural needs. Whether it be a difference in language, understanding that someone is a veteran and how that may affect them psychologically, or any other set of circumstances that surround a specific culture. Having the knowledge and resources that cater to different cultures makes for better experiences across the board and, consequently, makes for more effective healthcare visits.

Read More
545 Words | 3 Pages

The world is a diverse population, with people coming from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. A person’s views, values, and traditions determine their daily needs and practices. So, healthcare providers face certain challenges and restrictions because a patient’s belief may inhibit professionals from providing the most effective care. Therefore, cultural competence is an important idea for healthcare providers to consider when understanding and respecting patients. Balcazar, Suarez-Balcazar, and Taylor-Ritzler (2009) noted in “Cultural competence:

Read More
482 Words | 2 Pages

I can help close any communication gaps by converting difficult medical jargon into a language that patients can understand by drawing from my own experiences. By encouraging clear communication, I support a team-based healthcare setting where patients experience empowerment and

Read More
1089 Words | 5 Pages

To be person centred, radiographers should use the right message said in the appropriate context, depending on the individual. For example, in practise a paediatric patent may require a step-by-step explanation whereas an elderly patient may require repetition of instructions in a louder voice. Also, to preserve the patient’s dignity, it is advisable to avoid using medical terminology, as some patient might not understand and this could make them feel uncomfortable and insignificant. It is preferable to communicate using plane English in a slower speed which gives the patient time to process the

Read More
797 Words | 4 Pages

Herban’s thoughtful approach to communication in her work. Her emphasis on building strong relationships with patients and caregivers, tailoring her communication style to meet individual needs, and prioritizing cultural competence are all valuable skills that I hope to incorporate into my own practice. I can also seek out opportunities to collaborate with other professionals to provide comprehensive care. An example of how I can apply her experiences to my future work is by attending cultural competency training to improve my ability to communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds. This training could help me to better understand cultural differences in communication styles and develop strategies to overcome language

Read More
1667 Words | 7 Pages

This paper will explain the seven principles of patient-clinician communication. It will then apply three of those principles to my interactions with my patients. Next, it will describe three methods being used in my area of practice to improved communication between the patients and clinicians. It will ultimately choose one of those principles that applies best to my practice and clearly describe how I use it. It will describe ethical principles that can be applied to issues with patient-clinician communication.

Read More
534 Words | 3 Pages

Regarding effective communication, “good interpretation and good translation go a long way toward solving cross-cultural communication problems and language barriers in health care” (Dreachslin, Gilbert & Malone, 2013, p. 289). These services, through interpreters or voice-assisted devices, provide better opportunities to blend cultures and understand the tradition and beliefs of diverse populations. These two topics were just samplings of the information discussed, but they stuck out to me on a personal level, while pushing me to promote cultural competence and understanding beyond this course in all my future workplace

Read More
1617 Words | 7 Pages

The way a person thinks about health, “whether that is our ‘philosophy’, our ‘worldview’, our ‘framework’ influences what we do as individuals in practice,” as well as how we deliver the health service. These elements allow us to think about healthcare in our own culturally acceptable way, this isn’t always an acceptable way of delivering the service to people with views different to our own. Cultural competence is an approach that aids in influencing the service and the education of healthcare professionals. (Taylor, K., & Guerin, P., 2010). Cultural competence is defined as a knowledge and understanding of cultures, histories and contemporary realities and awareness of protocols, combined with the proficiency to engage and work effectively in a cultural context congruent to the expectations of the people of that culture.

Read More
1129 Words | 5 Pages

Cultural appropriation has been used throughout history to imply messages in both art and design. Often used in political art, satire and contempary art, this type of insinuation uses popular symbols of a culture or sub-culture (these symbols often stem from stereotypes so that they can be understood by the masses) to further layer an artwork or imply a deeper meaning by hinting towards a characteristic of said culture. The key to identifying appropriation is whether these symbols and signs are being used out of their original context. It is therefore important to understand the meaning of cultural appropriation and how it is used, to completely comprehend these works of art. This essay considers three works and how cultural appropriation was

Read More

More about Cultural Awareness Essay

Related Topics

Open Document