MODULE #7
DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE
Consider these questions in regards to
how you treat your patients:
1. How do you treat your patients?
2. Does their background influence your
treatment plan?
3. Do their preferences (sexual, political, social,
health (prevention/practices)) influence your
treatment of them?
4. Do you change your recommendations based
on their ability to pay or not?
The U.S. Census projects that by
2050:
• The Hispanic and Asian populations will triple.
• The black population will almost double.
• The white population will barely hold its own.
http://www.csahq.org/pdf/bulletin/issue_12/Diversity.pdf
Four “layers” of Diversity
1. Personality
2. Internal dimensions (e.g., gender, country of
origin, race, physical ability)
3. External dimensions (e.g., religion, parental
status, recreational habits, geographical
location)
4. Organizational dimensions (e.g., management
occupation, department, specialty)
http://www.csahq.org/pdf/bulletin/issue_12/Diversity.pdf
DIVERSITY
• “Many cultures contribute to the richness of our world
community. … each of us has individual qualities and
characteristics that make us special. Let us learn more
of one another… in knowledge there is understanding,
in understanding, there is respect, and where there is
respect, GROWTH is possible”
- “Inclusion,” Book and Video Catalog (Manhattan, KS: The MASTER Teacher, 1999), 5A.
Cultural Competence
Have I "ASKED" Myself the Right Questions?
• A warenes: Am I aware of my personal biases and prejudices
towards cultural groups different than mine?
• S kill: Do I have the skill to conduct a cultural assessment and
perform a culturally-based physical assessment in a sensitive
manner ?
• K nowledge: Do I have knowledge of the patient's world view and
the field of biocultural ecology?
• E ncounters: How many face-to-face encounters have I had with
patients from diverse cultural backgrounds?
• D esire: What is my genuine desire to "want to be" culturally
competent?
Cultural Diversity and Health Care
It is because we are different
that each of us is special.