Chapter 2 Multicultural Therapeutic Communication Developing Cultural Communication

Chapter 2 Multicultural Therapeutic Communication

Developing Cultural Communication • OBJECTIVES – List and describe a minimum of 5 techniques to employ when communicating with individuals of other cultures. – Discuss barriers to multicultural therapeutic communication and suggest ways these barriers may be decreased or eliminated – Identify cultural biases/prejudices that may be experienced in today’s health care environments. – Discuss recognized types of medicine: Western medicine, holistic medicine, oriental medicine, and folk medicine.

Communicating with Clients of Diverse Cultures • Speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and allow time for the client to process the information and respond • Demonstrate an interest of the culture or background • Communicate effectively while putting personal biases and prejudices aside • Gain knowledge of the beliefs and rituals of different cultures • Develop techniques that foster multicultural communication • Recognize barriers to multicultural communication • *Identify, resolve, and satisfy the healthcare needs of the client with respect to help them be at ease

Barriers to Therapeutic Cultural Communication • • • Lack of knowledge Fear, distrust Racism Bias, prejudice, ethnocentrism Stereotyping

Barriers • Healthcare rituals • Language • Perceptions, expectations

Cultural Biases Experienced in Healthcare Facilities • Unwillingness of HCP to accept the uniqueness or difference in another’s culture • Preference for Western medicine • Client choosing Physician according to gender • Prejudices & discrimination based on sexual preference, gender identity, age, sex, race, religion, and disease • Ethnocentrism • Believing socio-economic class determines the amount of “care”

Therapeutic Response • • • Approach client slowly, respectfully Create culturally comfortable environment Listen to client, observe culture Validate, ask questions Recognize nonverbal gestures, mannerisms

Examples of Cultures • • • Caucasian, Western African American, Western Black, African or Caribbean Asian Native American, South Sea Island Hispanic and Latino

Religion-Based Cultures • Judaism – Sabbath, kosher food, Passover • Hinduism and Buddhism – Vegetarian, fasting, modesty • Muslim – Non-pork, daily prayers, decisions

Medical Interpreters • • Cultural broker, cultural facilitator Legal use of interpreters Best use of interpreters Role of clients, physicians, health professionals

Therapeutic Response • • Assess if interpreter is needed Discuss causes of illness: if, how treated Ascertain use of holistic or folk medicine Continue use of holistic or folk medicine, if possible

Western Medicine • Bacterial, viral cause • Diagnosis by – Scientific tests – Observation of client symptoms • Treatment by – Surgery – Medications

Holistic Medicine • Personal accountability for one’s health • Body’s ability to heal itself • Balance of mind, body, spirit with environment • Treatment modalities – Acupuncture, biofeedback – Folk medicine, meditation, yoga

Oriental/Eastern Medicine • • • Body balance of energy, opposing states Practiced in home, religious settings Home remedy medications Unlikely to share folk medicine usages Treatment modalities

Folk Medicine • • Home remedy medication handed down Some harmless, others dangerous Practiced in homes, religious settings Treatment modalities – Prayer, use of holy water, oil – Wear charms, bracelets • May not share treatments tried

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ” -MAYA ANGELOU