Medicine in a multicultural society

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

It is the learned and shared values of a particular group that:
o	Guides thinking
o	Actions
o	Behaviors 
o	Emotional reactions to daily living

Question 2

Describe transference

Answer 2

• Transference occurs when the physicians or patients transfer past emotions, beliefs or experiences to the present situation.
• The feelings can be positive or negative counter-transference, but are always a distortion of realty.
• Transference is an unconscious process. When transference occurs around cultural issues, it becomes a serious barrier that keeps the patient from being receptive to medical advice and treatment.

Question 3

Describe some barriers

Answer 3

• Lack of knowledge
• Fear and distrust
• Bias and ethnocentrism
• Stereotyping
• Language barriers
• Differences in perceptions/expectations
• Situation

Question 4

Describe cultural competence

Answer 4

Cultural competence is the ongoing capacity of healthcare systems, organizations and professionals to provide for diverse patient* populations high quality care that is safe, patient- and family- centered, evidence-based, and equitable