Adaptation of services
- In a cross-cultural patient/provider relationship, both parties may be called upon to acknowledge and respect health concepts and practices different from their own. The situation can cause discomfort, and tensions can arise when different health belief systems confront one another. Common responses to the unknown or unfamiliar are anxiety, wariness, and even anger, fear or distrust.
- All health care providers should learn to regard the patient and his or her family as unique and aim to develop skills to assess the role of culture in any given situation.
- Awareness of personal cultural biases is a prerequisite for cross-cultural competence. The competent professional cultivates a non-judgmental attitude of respect, interest, and inquiry.
A culturally sensitive health care system is one that:
- is accessible.
- respects the beliefs, attitudes and cultural lifestyles of its patients.
- acknowledges that health and illness are influenced by ethnic values, cultural orientation, religious beliefs, and linguistic considerations.
- acknowledges that the culturally constructed meaning of illness is a valid concern of medical care.
- is sensitive to intragroup variations in beliefs and behaviors.
- avoids labeling and stereotyping.