Cultural and Social Diversity - Literature review Example

Cultural and Social Diversity Name: Course: Institution: Date: Introduction Culture is an essential aspect in the understanding of social diversity issues that characterize the world today. It is important to note that culture has its basis on numerous shared aspects such as language, history, belief and dressing among other attributes. The main objective of this paper is to provide an understanding to the role of cultural and social diversity in the provision of healthcare. This will be elaborating the reasons why it is important for health professionals to possess skills in cultural competency and cultural safety as a way of improving individual and group health outcomes Relationship between culture/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and cultural competence Culture from a dynamic and multi- dimensional perspective represents numerous aspects in the life of an individual. These include attributes such as gender, socioeconomic status and age among other attributes. Cultural competency can be said to be the knowledge that an individual possesses about a given culture (Dayer-Berenson, 2014). Such knowledge allows such an individual to not only understand or appreciates certain sets of cultures; it also provides a platform where such an individual can successfully work with other people from other cultures (Srivastava, 2007). This has its basis on the fact that the said individual possesses some awareness about the precepts of a given culture. This is important in situations where a professional desires to find ways by which provision of services to members of different societies can be ensured without any misunderstanding (Dayer-Berenson, 2014). The ability of a healthcare professional to provide proper services to a given individual is highly dependent on the professional’s ability to understand the expectations and the background of the said patient (Dreachslin et al, 2013). Many cultural groups and individuals from different races such as African Americans and the Hispanics for instance are believed to be from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Such individuals are at a risk or receiving insufficient medical care which is grossly undeserved. Insufficient cultural competency among health providers can be cited as a reason why such groups receive little or no medical attention. Evidence of knowledge about the elements and principles of cultural competency and how they relate to your health profession The principle of assumption is one of the elements of cultural competence. It asserts that every individual either knowingly or unknowingly always makes an assumption that all those who sound or look the same are similar (Jeffreys, 2010). There is need for health practitioners to understand how their perceptions towards certain people will affect their actions towards them. An awareness of existing biases which are part of existing cultural backgrounds will help in reducing the barriers that make it difficult for individuals from different cultures to understand each other (Dreachslin et al, 2013). Power and privilege are also essential elements of cultural competency. It is important for health practitioners to recognize the type of power that surrounds the privileges that they enjoy. This is the extent to which a given individual feels powerful in the society in which they live (Jeffreys, 2010). Those who are privileged in the society possess the power to act and define different aspects of reality as they also help in determining that which is normal and correct. If the powerful individuals in the society such as health practitioners fail to adequately use the powers they possess, they risk institutionalizing and systematizing discrimination. Exploration of differences and equity in access are elements of competency that help in the recognition of invisible dissimilarities which aid in blending those of insignificant cultures with the dominant culture. Health practitioners must also recognize numerous aspects that influence an individual’s access to health services (Jeffreys, 2010). Evidence of knowledge about institutional policy and guidelines related to cultural competence in health services According to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), the inclusion of cultural issues on the provision of medical care is crucial for the health sector. This body operates on four principles that act as guidelines in the operations of any health practitioner. The first principle recognizes that the engagement of consumers and communities is essential as it is a mutual relationship (Williamson & DeSouza, 2007). There is need for health professionals and communities to engage in an exchange program that enhances learning at all stages in the provision of healthcare. Such relationships promote an understanding between the community and health professionals (Koutoukidis et al, 2013). The second principle asserts that leadership and accountability are essential in sustaining change. For any society to develop, health professionals play an essential role in providing leadership to other members of the society. An understanding of the existing cultures will help those in the health sector to enhance their development in leadership roles (Williamson & DeSouza, 2007). Cultural competency builds on strengths since it promotes the understanding of the community such that a health professional is able to know that which works. These include an understanding of population health approach in terms of risk factors and protective behavior. The principle of shared responsibility enhances the creation of partnerships between health and human service (Koutoukidis et al, 2013). Evidence of knowledge about how the elements and principles of cultural competency relate to health consumers The principle of assumption can possibly create a divide between a health consumer and a health provider. The assumption that a patient has about a particular health professional will either enhance of decline the possibility that the patient will feel comfortable with the services provided by the health professional (Nagelkerk & Huber, 2006). This explains why it is important for the health consumer to be in a position to understand the powers and privileges that he or she enjoys. An understanding of such powers enhances the possibility that the consumer will define the type of relationship that he or she desires to have with a practitioner. With such powers and privileges a health consumer has the ability to explore the existing differences and develops strategy that enhances mutual understanding (Srivastava, 2007). In terms of the principles introduced by NHMRC, it is the responsibility of the health consumer to understand his or her roles in the engagement process. Such an understanding will increase the possibility of creating a mutual relationship between the health care system and the community (Srivastava, 2007). The principle of leadership and accountability increases the possibility that health consumer will hold the leaders answerable in the event that they fail to develop strategies that enhance the mutual relationships. In addition, health consumers use these principles to demand for their rights of healthcare (Nagelkerk & Huber, 2006). Ability to identify what is needed to ensure ‘culturally/socially safe’ professional practice for both the health professional and health consumer Culture and ethnicity play a unique role in the creation of different patterns of belief especially on matters that define what health and sickness really mean. This means that the existing cultural beliefs are even used in the determination of how different symptoms are to be recognized, and the type of medical intervention that is most applicable (Nagelkerk & Huber, 2006). There is need for the medical practitioner and the health consumer to develop an understanding of the relevance of the existing beliefs in promoting of degrading the provision of health care. It is the responsibility of a health practitioner to understand cultural factors that contribute to aspects such as delay in access of medical services, the role of cultural and social constructs in promoting skepticism concerning the medical world. Through such competency, a professional will be competent enough to develop a strategy on how to promote medical awareness to different cultures (Srivastava, 2007). There is need for the health consumer to be able to understand any awareness campaigns that are introduced by different health professionals. Such campaigns will not only promote awareness, but they will also enhance a health consumers’ ability to comprehend numerous cultural practices that are enhance and degrade modern health practices (Nagelkerk & Huber, 2006). Ability to identify a number of ways that your health profession can ensure to provide culturally safe health services As a pharmacist, it is important promote cultural awareness and sensitivity. Such techniques when applied in any health profession, enhances the creation of an interactive environment where patients feel safe (Srivastava, 2007). Cultural safety creates an environment in which there is mutual respect which in turn enhances openness between the patients and the health professionals. In addition, a health professional understands the need to be familiar with historical belief systems of different ethnic groups (Rose, 2013). Cultural safety also involves the ability of a health professional to examine the hierarchy with their patients as an attempt to realize any possible detrimental effects that their relationship can have on a patient’s health outcomes. It is important to note that health professionals may be totally unaware that the power they possess may adversely affect the cultural beliefs of others (Srivastava, 2007). It is therefore important for a health practitioner to recognize differences in cultures and social backgrounds as this will play a role in determining the most culturally appropriate. In some instances the treatment accorded may not be the most culturally appropriate. However, through engagements, the practitioner may convince the patient on the relevance of the treatment (Rose, 2013). Conclusion It is important for health professionals to understand the existing cultural and social backgrounds of their patients. This will help them develop high levels of cultural competency which are considered as necessary in the in the development of the relationship between healthcare providers and health consumers. It is also important for health professionals to adhere to the principles and elements of cultural competency. References Dayer-Berenson, L. (2014). Cultural competencies for nurses: Impact on health and illness. Burlington, Mass: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Dreachslin, J. L., Gilbert, M. J., & Malone, B. (2013). Diversity and cultural competence in health care: A systems approach. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Jeffreys, M. R. (2010). Teaching cultural competence in nursing and health care: Inquiry, action, and innovation. New York: Springer Pub Co. Koutoukidis, G., Stainton, K., Hughson, J., & Tabbner, A. R. (2013). Tabbner's nursing care: Theory and practice. Chatswood, N.S.W: Churchill Livingstone. Nagelkerk, J. M., & Huber, D. (2006). Study guide for Leadership and nursing care management, third edition. St. Louis: Saunders Elsevier. Rose, P. R. (2013). Cultural competency for the health professional. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Srivastava, R. (2007). The healthcare professional's guide to clinical cultural competence. Toronto: Mosby Elsevier. Williamson, A., & DeSouza, R. (2007). Researching with communities: Grounded perspectives on engaging communities in research. Auckland: Muddycreek Press. Read More