Cultural differences are very present in our clinical practice. As a result, we need to understand cultural differences. Most importantly, we can educate ourselves on what they are. Additionally, we can also communicate with our patients, students and families on how that relates to their goals in therapy.
Today, I am sharing 10 resources you can use to educate yourselves and set culturally sensitive goals for your patients and students.
I dedicate this post to my aunt, Barbara Daly Danko, who passed away on May 6, 2015. She is a pioneer in politics and equity, serving on the county council in Pittsburgh, PA. She inspires me every day! I love you, Aunt Barbara.
CIRRIE developed a thirteen-volume monograph series, The Rehabilitation Provider’s Guide to Cultures of the Foreign-Born.
It provides specific information on cultural perspectives of foreign-born persons in the U.S., especially recent immigrants. Most importantly, the monographs contain cultural information that rehabilitation providers can use to meet needs of international recipients of rehabilitation services.
In addition, they focus on the top ten countries of origin of the foreign-born population according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There are additional monographs on the culture of Haiti and the Muslim perspective. Each monograph contains general information about the culture, its values and ways to interact with persons from that culture. They share specific information about views of disability and rehabilitation in each culture. In conclusion, the monographs are concise and written in non-technical language, to insure that they are user-friendly for rehabilitation service providers.
Communication and ongoing education are essential to promoting cultural awareness and providing culturally sensitive care. Additionally, to develop cultural awareness for yourself and your patients, use this checklist to understand cultural differences that may impact care.
This stresses the importance of cross-cultural information to nursing and emphasizes that it is an essential component of patient care. Most importantly, cultural competence refers to a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that enables health care professionals to work cross-culturally. Finally, as you acquire increasing cultural competence, you become more effective in helping patients of many cultures.
They provide national leadership and contribute to the body of knowledge on cultural and linguistic competency within organizations. Additionally, they place emphasis on translating evidence into policy and practice for programs and personnel concerned with health care education and advocacy.
The University of Pennsylvania emphasizes the differences in approach to illness that are found across cultures.
Understand that people from different religious backgrounds often have religiously-based convictions about delivery of health care services. For example, some religions prohibit blood transfers or organ donation. Dependability and honesty are critical when dealing with people from different cultures who might have values different from your own. In conclusion, The AMA underscores the importance of balancing the religious values of the patients with the ethical responsibilities of medical care.
Source: How to Deal With Diversity in the Healthcare Workplace (chron.com)
The IHI uses improvement science to advance outcomes in health care across the world. Overall, they bring awareness of safety and quality, accelerate learning and systematic care improvement and develop solutions to intractable challenges.
The OMH serves to improve health of racial and ethnic minority populations through health policies that eliminate health disparities.
DiversityRx aims to improve accessibility and quality of health care for minority, immigrant, and indigenous communities. Overall, they support those who provide health services responsive to the cultural and linguistic differences. Finally, they inform, educate, and support health care providers, policymakers, researchers, and advocates who share our goals.
They offer continuing education courses on important topics like on racial disparities, treating indigenous populations. In addition, you can create an action plan for cultural competence.
This is day 6 of Better Speech and Hearing Month. Thanks for reading! Finally, if you missed the first four days, click here to check them out.
In conclusion, come back tomorrow to learn more about cultural sensitivity as an SLP. For more cultural sensitivity tips, make sure to subscribe to my SLP Survival Newsletter!
