Health care workers are involved with many different people

Respect individuality Be aware of factors that cause each person

to be unique Influence is cultural/ethnic heritage

Values, beliefs, attitudes, language, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people

Passed from one generation to next Often defined set of rules Foundation of behavior, but variances

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Culture is learned Culture is shared Social in nature Dynamic and constantly changing

Classification of people based on national origin and/or culture

Share common heritage, geographic location, national origin, social customs, language, and beliefs

Common ethnic groups Subgroups within larger ethnic groups

Based on physical or biological factors◦ Color of skin, hair, and eyes◦ Facial features◦ Blood types◦ Bone structure◦ Race cuts across multiple ethnic and cultural

groups

Differences among people resulting from cultural, ethnic, and racial factors

These differences influence a person’s behavior

Differences exist within ethnic/cultural groups

United States called a “melting pot,” or is it more accurately a “salad bowl?”

Process of learning the beliefs and behaviors of a dominant culture and assuming some of the characteristics◦ Every individual has unique blend of

characteristics◦ Need to develop sensitivity to differences

Bias: preference or inclination that inhibits impartial judgment

Prejudice: strong feelings or beliefs about a person or subject; pre-judging others without reviewing facts or information; often based on fear

Stereotyping: making the assumption that everyone in a group is the same

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Creates barriers to relationships Health care workers need to avoid

feelings and assumptions Ways to avoid bias, prejudice, and

stereotyping

Cultural and ethnic beliefs will affect behavior

Health care worker needs to be aware of these beliefs to meet the physical, social, emotional, and mental needs of individuals

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Family organization◦ Nuclear◦ Extended◦ Patriarchal versus matriarchal◦ Recognition and acceptance of family

organization is essential in all aspects of the health care field

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Language Personal space and touch Eye contact Gestures

South African-Maintain harmony of body, mind and spirit. Harmony with nature.◦ Prevent illness by diet, rest, cleanliness◦ Cause of illness-supernatural (spirits, demons,

punishment from God) or conflict in life Healers-Root doctor, Folk healers

(community “mother” healer spiritualist)-use of prayer, herbs, roots, rituals, charms, talismans and amulets

Pain toleration=strength

Health-physical and spiritual harmony Balance of two energy forces: yin (cold) and

yang (hot) Illness-imbalance between yin/yang or

supernatural causes including ancestral spirits; unhealthy environment

Treatment: Herbalist, Shaman-healer Cold remedies for hot illness etc Acupuncture/acupressure-meridians Pain-endure and don’t show

Health-rest, diet, exercise, immunizations…a personal responsibility

Illness-germs, polution, punishment for sins, self-abuse (drugs/ETOH), unclean

Heal-Physician/ nurse Treatments-Western medicine, diet,

exercise, prayer Pain-expresses and shows emotional

reactions; uses pain meds

Health-reward from God-good luck. A balance between hot and cold forces

Illness-punishment from God, Susto (fright), mal ojo (evil eye) or envidia (envy) and imbalance between hot and cold

Heal-Curanderos, Espiritualistas, Yerbero or herbalist, Brujo

Treat-Hot and cold remedies, prayer, rituals, herbals, massage, anoint with oil, wear an Azabache (black stone) to ward off mal ojo

Pain-express verbally and accept treatment

Health-spiritual causes, cleanliness, males dominate and make health care decisions

Illness-spiritual, punishment for sins, Evil spirits or evil eye

Heal-traditional healers/physician Treat-Meditation, charms, amulets,

meds/surgery, male health professionals cannot touch or examine females

Pain-toleration=strength…self-infliction of pain is a reaction to grief

Health-harmony between man/nature and balance of the mind, body & spirit. Spiritual powers control the harmony of the body

Illness-Supernatural forces/evil spirits/violation of a taboo, imbalance of man & nature

Heal-Shaman/Medicine man Treat-Rituals, charms, masks, prayer,

meditation, plants, herbs, medicine bag (herbs) blessed by medicine man

Pain-a part of life…tolerance=strength

Spirituality-belief in a higher power or finding the meaning and purpose in life-very individualized

Religion-organized system of belief in a superhuman power or higher power

Atheist-a person who does not believe in an deity

Agnostic-believes the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved.

Do you have a religious affiliation? Spiritual practices that make you feel

better? Prayer and at what time? Would you like to see a religious leader? A religious healer? Special religious days? Clothing or jewelry with religious

significance? Religious objects that need special care? Foods and preparation?

No infant baptism-presentation ceremony to dedicate the child to Buddha

Reincarnation Calm environment at death/last rites chanted Beliefs-Karma, cleanliness, expect suffering Buddha-the “enlightened one”/Tipitaka-

writings of Buddha Nirvana-state of greater inner freedom (goal) Mala beads around the left wrist (not to be

removed unless absolutely necessary

No infant baptisim/no last rites/autopsy only if required by law/organ donation not popular

May not use medicine (prayer instead), refuses blood transfusion/immunization

Bible is the holy book, Communion, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy is the textbook of Christian Science

No infant baptism-done after the “age of understanding” is reached

No last rites Bible is the holy book, oppose abortion Laying on of hands may heal

Infant baptism Last rites Holy Unction or anointing of the sick with oil Bible, communion Book of Commmon Prayer Cross

No birth ritual-naming ceremony 10-11 days after birth (obtain blessings from gods and goddesses)

Reincarnation Faith healing and also western medicine Vedas (4 books) are sacred scripture Brahma-the source of the universe and center

of all things Karma Cows are sacred (feed=worship) Symbols-statues, flat stones, incense,

sandalwood

“There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is His prophet” are the first words a baby should hear

Circumcision at 7 days Family stays with the dying Dying person confesses sins Only the family may touch or wash the body after

death The body is turned toward Mecca Ritual washing before/after prayer (Mecca) Holy day-sunset Thursday to sunset Friday Prayer rug is sacred Imam-preacher/teacher The Koran is the holy book

No infant baptism-baptized when accepts beliefs

No last rites Organs/tissues are drained of blood before

transplantation Cannot receive blood/blood products God is Jehovah/Bible/Communion

No infant baptism Circumcison (Bris by Mohel) at 8 days Never die alone/body ritually cleansed after

death/burial before sundown on the day of death (within 24 hours)

Cremation is forbidden Sabbath sunset Friday to sunset Saturday Torah Cantor leads prayers Star of David Kipph or yarmulke and tallith (prayer shawl) Diet-don’t mix milk and meat, only fish with

scales, and animals with cloven hooves

Regard each individual as unique Everyone adopts beliefs and forms a pattern

of behavior based on culture, ethnicity, race, life experiences, spirituality, and religion

Health care workers must learn to respect differences in individuals