Delivering Appropriate Care to Diverse Communities Flashcards
What is the problem with understanding culture?
There are many definitions of culture
What does the concept of culture, cultural identity, or belonging to a cultural group involve?
Active engagement, not something just described
What is it probelmatic to assign cultural categories to?
Single characteristics
What is the relationship between identity and culture?
Identity is drawn from culture, not simply formed from it
How does the Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) define culture?
As the relationship to group or groups with whom he or she identifies
What may an individuals identity be based on?
Heritage, as well as an individuals circumstances and personal choice
What factors may affect someones culture?
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Age
- Language
- Country of origin
- Acculturation
- Sexual orientation
- Gender
- Socioeconomic status
- Religious or spiritual beliefs
- Physical ability
- Occupation
- Others
What behaviours may a persons culture influence?
- Communication styles
- Diet preferances
- Health beliefs
- Family roles
- Lifestyle
- Rituals
- Decision-making processes
What can the behaviours impacted by a persons culture influence?
- How patients and health care professionals perceive health and illness
- How they interact with one another
Why is the AAMC definition of culture used?
- Patient/individual centred
- Clinically applicable
- Through interplay of external and internal meanings, construct a sense of identity and unique cultures
- Patients define which aspect of their cultural belonging is relevant at any particular point, and it can differ in different contexts
- Dynamic definition allowing for change
- Patients and professionals are acknowledged to have culture
When may someones culture and cultural identity change?
- In clinical context
- At different life stages
- On clinical presentation
What is the problem with the term diversity?
Imprecise and inconsistent use
What may diversity mean?
Diversity of ethnicity
What is the problem with the term diversity just referring to diversity of ethnicity?
Much broader range of differences relating to individual characteristics beyond ethnicity
Why is diversity important to healthcare?
- Increasing diversity of populations, both patients and workforce
- Increasing, albeit limited, evidence that taking a patient-centred approach improves outcomes
- Huge disparities in care accessed
- Disparities beyond the point of access
- Differential outcomes
- Legislative frameworks
Why are there huge disparities in care access, related to diversity?
Doctors make decisions on who to give care to, may be subconsciously affected by ideas they have
Give an example of where a doctors subconscious ideas may lead to disparities in care accessed
May not give black women aggressive treatment, because they don’t think they can take it, or don’t think that they’re worth the resources
What is the result of legislative frameworks, with regards to diversity and healthcare?
Equal care must be given irrespective of patient factors
When do problems arise, regarding diversity and healthcare?
- Lack of knowledge
- Self protection/denial
- Fear of the unknown/new
- Feeling of pressure due to time constraints
What does a lack of knowledge lead to in healthcare and diversity?
Inability to recognise differences
What is the problem with an inability to recognise differences in healthcare?
Treating patients the same is not always the same as equal care, as each patient has their own needs
What does self-protection/denial lead to when thinking about diversity and healthcare?
An attitude that these differences are not significant, or that our common humanity transcends our differences
What leads to a fear of the unknown/new when thinking about diversity and healthcare?
Because its challenging, and perhaps intimidating, to understand something new that doesn’t fit into world view
What is the problem with fear of the unknown/new in healthcare?
Decisions shouldn’t be based on perception
