1/2: Culture and competence Flashcards
Define culture
- customary beliefs, social forms and traits of a racial, religious or social group.
- shared attitudes, values, goals and practices within an institution, organisation or group.
complex and dynamic
Do all people in the one culture present identically?
NO, culture is dynamic
Define ethnicity
ethnic quality or affiliation. Connection to a race or group.
- belonging to a common national or cultural tradition.
share common things - language living location - physical characteristics - place of origin - religion - customs
Define Race
often refers to physical features of the group
e.g. skin colors, hair, eye color, body shape.
White= caucasian
Black= African American
Asian
Pacific Islander
Define cultural diversity
the existence of multiple cultures or ethnic groups within society.
recognises and respects everyone.
The diversity not only between cultures but within cultures.
interchangeable with ‘multiculturalism’
It is culturally incompetent to generalise and not acknowledge diversity.
Cultural competence
ability to understand, communicate and effectively interact across cultures.
refers to the acknowledgment and recognition of different cultures.
- an awareness that people are different due to culture.
Cultural competence is key to great health care. It makes a patient comfortable. This could be comfort food, their language.
Describe the cultural iceberg analogy
Only the tip of the iceberg can be seen.
Observable: behaviors
Non-observable: INTERPRETATIONS and below that CORE VALUES
Influences on non-observable culture
- economics
- religion
- family
- history
- education system
- the media
Define formative factors
factors which create, define, and mold a cultures core values.
Define behavior
words and actions which are apparent to the casual observer
Define interpretations
how we feel core values should be reflected in specific situations in daily life such as working or socialising.
Define core values
good or bad, right or wrong, accepted or not accepted
- its what we learn this about we is good and bad.
Unconscious bias
social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness.
more prevalent than conscious bias
What are the elements of culture
social orginsation Customs Rituals Religion Language Norms Symbols
Define cultural awareness
- observing and being conscious of similarities and contrasts between and in groups.
understanding the way in which an individual may approach health , illness and wellbeing care due to their culture.
Define cultural sensitivity
an awareness and understanding of the values and perceptions of your own culture and the way in which this may shape your approach to patients from cultures.
Cultural safety
an environment that is spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically safe.
How does a culturally competent healthcare system look
implements;
- policies
- structures
- practices
- behaviors
- attitudes
What are cultural competence dangers
- neglecting or not understanding aspects that cant be seen
What are the 7 elements of culture?
social organisation Customs Rituals Religion Language Norms Symbols
Elements of culture: social organisation
a groups lead by a leader who is considered to hold more power
- important element of culture as it shows how society around them is treated
Elements of culture: customs
traditions, values and social standards established as practices by society
Elements of culture: Rituals
characteristics of a right or observation, particularly of a religious group.
Elements of culture: Religion
Society morals and beliefs about humanities spiritual and reason to exist
Elements of culture: Language
symbolic system through which people can communicate.
- always evolving
- how culture is transmitted
- language varies due to culture e.g. Eng, USA, Aus= English
Elements of culture: Norms
formal or informal practices that can be passed from parent, fam or elders when growing up in a society,
Elements of culture: Symbols
Non-verbal communication or material objects.
Every culture has them to portray expressions and emotions.
What is the relationship between understanding your own culture and cultural competence?
You must understand your own culture so you know when it is influencing your care. This influence may prevent you from providing the best car possible.
Does geography impact culture?
yes, e.g. cold- dress warm or language spoken- area
What are the characteristics of a culturally competent nurse?
- confidence in their ability to communicate effectively w/ culturally and linguistically diverse people.
- recognise and respect that communities are their own cultural experts.
- appreciate many cultures
- awareness that different cultures have different needs.
What do culturally competent nurses need to do?
- knowledge- learn about other cultures
- attitudes- level of awareness of self and patients in regards to stereotypes, rules of interaction and communication customs.
Nurses must not stereotype - Communication- key component of skilled nursing. Consider both verbal and nonverbal.
Cultural competence in health care
the ability of providers and organisations to understand and integrate above factors into the healthcare system.
Things that are necessary to provide a culturally competent healthcare service
- provide interpreter services
- recruit and retain minority staff
- provide training to increase cultural awareness, knowledge and skills
- coordinate traditional healers
- use community health care workers
- incorporate culture-specific attitudes and values into health promotion tools.
- include family and community members in healthcare decision making.
- locate clinics closer to patients
- expand operating hours
- provide linguistic competency that extends beyond the clinical environment,
Why is culturally competent health care important?
- improves healthcare outcomes
- contributes to elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities
- Important component of overall excellence in healthcare delivery
- develops positive attitudes towards cultural differences
