UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, ETHNICITY, & RACE AS IT RELATES TO THE HEALTH CARE FIELD

Cultural Diversity

WHAT MAKES A PERSON UNIQUE? Physical

characteristics Family Life Socioeconomic

status Religious

beliefs

Location Education Occupation Life

experiences Cultural/ethnic

heritage

CULTURE values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, & customs unique to a particular group of people & passed from one generation to the

next. • “Set of rules”• All cultures have 4 characteristics:-Culture is learned -Culture is social in nature-Culture is shared -Culture is dynamic & constantly changing.

ETHNICITY Classification of people based on

national origin and/or culture. Can share a common geographical

location or heritage but may not share same beliefs.

Examples include – African American, Asian American, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Middle Eastern/Arab Americans, Native Americans

RACE A classification of people based on physical or biological

characteristics such as the color of skin, hair, and eyes; facial features; blood type; and bone structure.

Race cuts across multiple ethnic/cultural groups. Example:

-Blacks from Africa & Blacks from the Caribbean both share many of the same physical characteristics, but they have different cultural beliefs and values.

-White or Black Hispanics-White Africans & Caribbean's-White & Black Asians

WHAT IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY? The differences based on cultural, ethnic, &

racial factors. Cultural assimilation – absorption of a culturally

distinct group into a dominant or prevailing culture. Requires that the newly arrived cultural group alter unique beliefs & behaviors & adopt the ways of the dominant culture.

Acculturation – process of learning the beliefs & behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics.

Sensitivity - the ability to recognize and appreciate the personal characteristics of others.

BEHAVIORS & THEIR CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

TERMS Bias – preference that prevents impartial

judgment. Ethnocentric – Individuals who believe in the

supremacy of their own ethnic group. Prejudice – “pre judge” a strong feeling or

belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts or information.

Stereotype - an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same.

Holistic Care – care that provides for the well-being of the whole person.

FAMILY ORGANIZATION

WHAT IS FAMILY ORGANIZATION? The structure of a family and

the dominant or decision making person in a family.

Families vary in their composition and in the roles assumed by family members

2 TYPES OF FAMILY ORGANIZATION

Nuclear FamilyMother, Father, & Children. Can also consist of a single parent and child(ren)

Extended FamilyNuclear family + grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.

FAMILY TERMS…. Patriarchal – Father or oldest male in the

family is the authority. Matriarchal – Mother or oldest female in

the family is the authority. How does this affect health care?-If a family is patriarchal, the dominant male will make most health care decisions for all family members. -Regardless of who is in authority, respect for the individual and the family must be the primary concern

LANGUAGE

In the United States the dominant language is English.

20% of the US population under age 65 speaks a language other than English at home.

HOW TO CARE FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PT’S

Whenever possible find a translator or a family member who speaks the language.

Speak slowly & use simple words. Use gestures or pictures to clarify the

meaning of words. Use nonverbal communication

(smile/gentle touch) Avoid the tendency to speak louder Try to learn some words or phrases in

different languages

PERSONAL SPACE & TOUCH

PERSONAL SPACE & TOUCH “territorial space”

The distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with

others. Some cultures use close contact

(comfortable standing very close to and even touching

some cultures use distant contact (opposite of close contact)

CULTURES & TOUCH Arabs – very close

contact, will touch, smell, & feel people.

French/Latin – tend to stand very close while talking.

Hispanic – comfortable with close contact & use hugs & handshakes.

Gender- women tend to stand closer than men do and children stand closer together then adults.

European/African Americans – prefer some space during interactions but do not hesitate to shake hands as a greeting.

Asian – stand closer but usually do not touch. Affection is reserved for intimate relationships but never in public.

Cambodia – members of the opposite sex will never touch in

public, even siblings.

Vietnamese – only elderly can touch

Middle Eastern – men may not touch females who are not family.

Native Americans – personal space is important but they will lightly touch another person’s hand during greetings.

EYE CONTACT Most European Americans regard eye contact

during a conversation as a sign of interest and trustworthiness.

Asian Americans consider direct eye contact to be rude

Native Americans may use peripheral vision and avoid direct eye contact.

Hispanic & African Americans may use brief eye contact

Muslim woman may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty

In India, people of different socioeconomic classes may avoid eye contact

GESTURES Common gesture in the US is nodding

the head up and down for “yes” and side to side for “no”.

In India, the head motions for yes and no are the exact opposite.

Asians and Native Americans feel pointing is a threat, but in the US it is commonly used to point out something.