What Should Diversity Training Achieve?

Proper diversity/cross-cultural training should bring about a degree of empathy. How we view and what we expect from our patients directly effects the way we treat them and thus effects the kind of care we give them. By learning about different cultures, languages and religions, we can better understand how our patients view their health care. This will then give us an idea about their health-seeking behavior. So when a particular patient is non-compliant, it may not be that they are "lazy" or that they don't care. It may be some type of conflict or contradiction with their own specific culture, socio-economic situation, mental health, or religion. Overall there are large health disparities across cultures. In order to close those health disparities we need healthcare providers to come to the table with empathy, knowledge, understanding, and a skillset that is tailored to working with people from various backgrounds. That is the only way we can provide competent and unbiased care. 

A common definition of cultural competence that is useful across the board is one that includes the idea that as healthcare providers we must be aware of cultural differences, respect cultural differences, and advocate for cultural differences. This will ensure that our patients needs are met. This logic and be used across any health care field - and really should be used as a guide for how we treat others. It shouldn't be just health care. It should be applied to everyone, in every field of work. If we all were aware, respectful and advocates - this world would be a much kinder place. And only then would be we be able to work towards making sure everyone's needs are met.

Knowing what I do - it's interesting to keep tabs on my own progress with cultural competency.

My learning outcomes that were previously posted in post #3 were:

1. Keep the patient cultural views in mind FIRST.

2. Do more independent study and observing of other cultures.

3. Recognize that sometimes other cultures prefer their family to be involved, and learn why this is a source of comfort for them.

I think overall, I'm doing well achieving these. I've taken numerous classes regarding multicultural sensitivity. But I don't think anything really gives you the understanding you need quite like working directly with other cultures - AND - learning about them. Those two things combined really have a strong effect on I have learned to view other cultures in regards to their health care.

 Keeping patient cultural views in mind first - is something that I've gotten used to. I usually ask what they are comfortable with before rattling off our protocol. I've had Somali women totally fine with removing their head piece. And I've had some that prefer to keep it on. I work around it. It's generally something we can get past.

Doing more independent study and observing of other cultures is a work in progress. I have numerous books on my reading list that are multi-cultural in nature. I have a very strong desire to learn about other cultures - including that of my coworkers. If they could, they would probably tell you that I like to ask them a lot questions about their language, country of origin, family structures and religion. I feel like the more I know about others, the better I will be able to understand them.

Understanding that often family is comforting for the patients is also a work in progress. Sometimes a whole group of people can be distracting and actually cause the patient more anxiety. So I'm trying to be better about using my judgment but also keeping a close watch on my patient for any signs of anxiety.