Multicultural Health Influences of Culture on Health Learning

Multicultural Health Influences of Culture on Health

Learning Objectives n Understand the influences of culture on health n Understand factors impacting on Multicultural Health Care

A Definition “Multicultural health is the phrase used to reflect the need to provide health care services in a sensitive, knowledgeable and non-judgemental manner with respect for people’s health beliefs and practices when they are different than your own”. Ritter and Hoffman (2010) page 5

Influences of culture on health Health in general is influenced by n The environment n Your genetics n Socioeconomic and n Social and cultural factors Everyone has a cultural background. Culture defines what we think, what we say and what we do.

Influences of culture on health Culture impacts on n An individual’s perception of health and illness n Their health behaviour n beliefs of what is a health issue n why they have the illness and n influences how people perceive they should talk about the illness.

Influences of culture on health Being able to recognise accept and respect cultural similarities and differences is an important in the n n delivery of effective health care services and ability to provide this service within a cultural context. This is the focus of Multicultural Health.

Factors impacting on health care Language barriers and accents n Communication n Universal cultural patterns /norms n Contextual factors eg housing, educational level, socio-economic status n Health beliefs n Acculturation continuum factors or level of cultural adaptation n Alternate treatments n

Factors impacting on health care Religious and spiritual n. Dietary and food requirements n. Medication requirements n. Birthing /end of life and death rituals n. Access to and knowledge of services n. Client support knowledge n. Staff knowledge / competence/ support n

Your experience n n Think about some situations you have encountered where culture has had an impact on a client’s health care Record your thoughts in the following activity

Conclusion n n This series of slides has provided information on the multi-cultural factors that impacts on health care The next presentation will look at the very important element of effective communication with our multicultural clients and co-workers