MODULE #7DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE

Consider these questions in regards to how you treat your

patients:

1. How do you treat your patients?2. Does their background influence your

treatment plan?3. Do their preferences (sexual, political,

social, health (prevention/practices)) influence your treatment of them?

4. Do you change your recommendations based on their ability to pay or not?

The U.S. Census projects that by 2050:

• The Hispanic and Asian populations will triple.

• The black population will almost double.

• The white population will barely hold its own.

http://www.csahq.org/pdf/bulletin/issue_12/Diversity.pdf

Four “layers” of Diversity

1. Personality 2. Internal dimensions (e.g., gender,

country of origin, race, physical ability)3. External dimensions (e.g., religion,

parental status, recreational habits, geographical location)

4. Organizational dimensions (e.g., management occupation, department, specialty) http://www.csahq.org/pdf/bulletin/issue_12/Diversity.pdf

DIVERSITY

• “Many cultures contribute to the richness of our world community. … each of us has individual qualities and characteristics that make us special. Let us learn more of one another… in knowledge there is understanding, in understanding, there is respect, and where there is respect, GROWTH is possible”

- “Inclusion,” Book and Video Catalog (Manhattan, KS: The MASTER Teacher, 1999), 5A.

Cultural CompetenceHave I "ASKED" Myself the Right Questions?

• A warenes: Am I aware of my personal biases and prejudices towards cultural groups different than mine?

• S kill: Do I have the skill to conduct a cultural assessment and perform a culturally-based physical assessment in a sensitive manner ?

• K nowledge: Do I have knowledge of the patient's world view and the field of biocultural ecology?

• E ncounters: How many face-to-face encounters have I had with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds?

• D esire: What is my genuine desire to "want to be" culturally competent?

Cultural Diversity and Health Care

It is because we are different that each of us

is special.