America is one of the culturally different countries in the world. In addition to the racial and ethnic diversity, more than 350 languages are spoken in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau, a different language than English at home.
For some people, however, cultural diversity means that important health information can be lost in translation. Studies show that cultural obstacles and language play a major role in misinformation and misunderstandings between health service providers (HCPS) and patients.
Cultural humility vs. cultural competence
In the early 2000s, the government demanded that HCPS learn cultural competence to improve the quality of care.
The cultural competence in healthcare refers to the ability of a provider to understand, appreciate and come into contact with people across cultures. The idea is that the more HCPs know about different cultural backgrounds, the better the care.
In theory, cultural competence sounds good, but it has some defects. On the one hand, the concept suggests that there is a core sentence of data that applies to certain groups of people, which can lead to distortions and stereotypes. Cultural competence also indicates that a person can be completely culturally competent. But that’s not exactly the case.
“It quickly becomes clear that they can under no circumstances be culturally competent because they will encounter so many cultures and then variations within the culture,” said Patricia Geragty MSN, FNP-BC, WHNP, a nurse practitioner and member of the healthy advice of women who have worked for women for more than 20 years in the health of women.
The concept of cultural competence is not bad, noted Geraghty, but there has been a shift in the practice of cultural humility in recent years.
Cultural humility is the persistent process of self-reflection and self-criticism of distortions by HCPS and the recognition that culture is becoming increasingly developed-there is no end point.
“Intellectual humility recognize and own their own prejudices and restrictions, and interpersonal humility is open and prioritizes the well -being of others, which is why as a health service provider,” said Geraghty.
The importance of cultural humility
Cultural humility can help to improve the relationship between HCP and patient in different ways.
These can include:
- Increased communication
- Improved trust
- A focus on the person -centered care
- Reduced stereotypes and distortions by providers
“If someone who is part of a marginalized group has the feeling that their provider listens and understands what is important for them – that does a lot,” said Geraghty.
Trust can help people feel safer and more open and lead to better health results. In addition to more personalized and more effective care, cultural humility can help promote a fairer health system.
What is health state?
Health authorization is basically the idea that everyone has the same opportunity to lead their sinful life regardless of social, economic, geographical background. Social determinants of health (where she born, live, work, play and aging) as well as biological determinants (e.g. a woman or a person who is assigned to women at birth) affect the potential for a healthy life.
Unfortunately, there are many factors today that question Health Equity. These can include:
- Discrimination
- Bad access to health care
- Lack of educational opportunities
- Unsafe environment
- Life in a household with low incomes
Structural, social and institutional differences are often worsened by stereotypes and discrimination.
Cultural humility can help HCPs take steps towards greater health justice through trust, and listens to lived experiences and education to eliminate racism and prejudices.
Read: Social determinants of health, health differences and health >>
Language barriers can lead to bad results
Health differences are a complex problem, but everyone deserves reliable health resources and services in a language that they can understand. A lack of clear and reliable information can lead to serious health problems, such as: B. errors in medication, misdiagnosis and delays in care, which could be avoided with the right communication, among other things.
Health insurance companies are a good place to ask for a list of HCPS that may speak their main language. Or ask friends and family for recommendations. If there is no list to choose from – don’t sweat. Most clinics and hospitals that accept federal money must provide free language help such as translators or document translation.
Another option: download a translation app on a smartphone. A study showed that patients and their HCPs, which used online translation tools such as Google, translate increased satisfaction for a visit by 92%.
According to Geraghty, the translation has covered a long way via smartphone, but it is always a good idea to be proactive and to inform the employees their primary language and cultural considerations before they meet with an HCP. The more information is better, the better, as this is prepared for everyone involved to concentrate on what is most important – your health.
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