Medicine in Multicultural Society

Question 1

Culture:

Answer 1

A filter through which people process their experiences and events of their lives - it influences people’s values, actions and expectations of themselves and impacts peoples perceptions and expectations of others

Question 2

Cultural sensitivity:

Answer 2

Ability to be open to learning about and accepting of different cultural groups

Question 3

Multiculturalism:

Answer 3

Recognition and acknowledgment that society is pluralistic - in addition to the dominant cultural, there exists many other cultures based around ethnicity, sexual orientation, geography, religion, gender and class

Question 4

Barriers in culture:

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Cultural competence:

Answer 5

The understanding of diverse attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, practices, and communication patterns attributable to a variety of factors

Question 6

Primary focus of cultural competence in health care:

Answer 6

1. Eliminate misunderstandings in diagnosis or in treatment planning that may arise from differences in language or culture
2. Improve patient adherences with treatment
3. Eliminate health care disparities