Cultural Diversity

By: Cindy Quisenberry

Definitions Culture – the values, beliefs, attitudes,

languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors, and customs unique to a particular group of people and passed from one generation to the next

Ethnicity – a classification of people based on national origin and/or culture

Race – a classification of people based on physical or biological characteristics such as color of skin, hair, and eyes; facial features; blood type; and bone structure

Definitions Bias– a preference that inhibits impartial judgment

(ie: individuals who believe in the supremacy of their own ethnic group) Can you think of other bias?

Prejudice – a strong feeling or belief about a person or subject that is formed without reviewing facts of information (Prejudiced individuals regard their ideas or behavior as right and other ideas or behavior as wrong.)

Stereotyping – occurs when an assumption is made that everyone in a particular group is the same

Definitions What is a nuclear family?

What is an extended family?

Definitions Personal Space – often called territorial space;

the distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others Close Contact Cultures

Arabs French Latin Americans Hispanic Americans Asian Americans may stand close but do not touch (kissing or

hugging never done in public

Definitions Monotheist – believe in one God Polytheist – believe in many gods Atheist – does not believe in any deity Agnostic – believes that the existence of God

cannot be proved or disproved

The key to respecting cultural diversity is to regard each person as a unique individual. Healthcare workers must learn to appreciate and respect the personal characteristics of others by: Listen to patients as they express their beliefs. Appreciate differences in people. Learn more about the cultural and ethnic groups that

you see frequently. Recognize and avoid bias, prejudice, and stereotyping. Ask questions to determine a person’s belief. Evaluate all information before forming an opinion.

Respecting Cultural Diversity

Allow patients to practice and express their beliefs as much as possible.

Remember that you are not expected to adopt another’s beliefs, just accept and respect them.

Recognize and promote the patient’s positive interactions with family.

Be sensitive to how patients respond to eye contact, touch, and invasion of personal space.

Respect spirituality, religious beliefs, symbols, and rituals.

Respecting Cultural Diversity

African American – Central & South African countries, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica

Asian/Pacific American – Australia, Cambodia, China, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indonesia & Pacific Island countries, Japan, Korea, Laos, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam

European American – Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland

Common Ethic Groups

Hispanic American – Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America

Middle Eastern/Arabic Americans – Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and other North African and Middle Eastern countries

Native American – more than 500 tribes of American Indians and Eskimos such as Apache, Choctaw, Cherokee, and Navajo

Common Ethic Groups

Definitions Personal Space – often called territorial space;

the distance people require to feel comfortable while interacting with others Distant Contact Cultures

European African Americans (2-4 feet) Cambodia – members of the opposite sex may never touch in

public Vietnamese allow only the elderly to touch the head of a child

because the head is considered sacred Native Americans Middle Eastern – men may not touch female individuals who are

not immediate family members

Definitions Eye Contact

European Americans – indicative of interest and trustworthiness

Asian Americans – considered to be rude Native Americans – may use peripheral vision and avoid

eye contact (may regard direct stares as hostile and threatening)

Hispanic and African Americans – may use brief eye contact, but then look away to indicate respect and attentiveness

Muslim women – may avoid eye contact as a sign of modesty

India – different socioeconomic classes may avoid eye contact with each other

Definitions Gestures (head up and down for “yes”, side to

side for “no”, etc.) Can mean an exact opposite in some countries Asian and Native Americans, pointing can represent a

strong threat “OK” can be insulting to some Asians

Baptist Some believe in the healing power of “laying on

of hands” Physician is instrument for God’s healing No last rites Oppose abortion Birth control is an individual’s decision

Buddhism Suffering is inevitable Illness is the result of negative Karma Cleanliness is important to maintain health May refuse medications that affect mental

alertness (mindful awareness is essential) Oppose abortion Birth control is an individual’s decision Believes in reincarnation Buddhist priest must be present at death Limited touching during during the process of death Last rites chanted at bedside right after death

Hinduism Some believe illness is punishment for sins Some believe in faith healing Will accept most medical interventions Naming ceremony is performed 10-11 days after

birth to obtain blessings form gods and goddesses

Abortion allowed only to save the life of the mother

Birth control allowed, but the duty of having a family is stressed

Hinduism Believe in reincarnation Priest ties thread around the neck or wrist and

may pour holy water in the mouth of the deceased

Only family and friends may touch and wash the body

Organ donation discouraged Cremation preferred Some do not eat meat

Lutheran Communion often administered by clergy to sick

or prior to surgery Birth control allowed Abortion discouraged No last rites

Methodist May request communion before surgery or while

ill Birth control allowed Abortion discouraged No last rites

Presbyterian Prayer and counseling an important part of

healing May request communion while ill or before

surgery Birth control allowed Abortion discouraged No last rites

Seventh Day Adventist

May avoid OTC medications and caffeine May anoint body with oil Use prayer for healing Some believe only in divine healing Will accept required immunizations Birth control is individual’s decision Therapeutic abortions permitted as an individual’s

decision No last rites Sabbath worship is sunset on Friday to sunset on Sat. Encouraged to practice a vegetarian diet

Episcopal May use anointing of the sick with oil as a

healing sacrament Abortion opposed Birth control is an individual’s decision Some observe last rites by priest

Roman Catholic Sacrament of the Sick and anointing with oil Life is sacred; abortion and contraceptive use

prohibited Believe embryos are human beings and should

not be destroyed or used for research Infant baptism mandatory Baptism necessary for salvation (any baptized

Christian may perform an emergency baptism) Sacrament of the Sick (last rites) performed by

priest May avoid meat at certain times

Islam (Muslim) Illness is atonement for sins Face city of Mecca 5 times a day to pray to Allah Ritual washing before and after prayer Must take meds with right hand since left hand is

considered dirty At birth, the infant should hear “There is no God

but Allah, and Mohammed is His prophet” Circumcision before 7 days old Abortion forbidden Family must be with dying person Dying person must confess sins and ask

forgiveness

Islam (Muslim) Only family touches and washes body after death Body is turned toward Mecca after death Cremation not permitted Avoid pork and shellfish Usually do not consume alcohol During holy month of Ramadan, all-day fasts are

required for those who are able.

Judaism May refuse surgical procedure or diagnostic tests on

Sabbath or holy days Family may want surgically removed body parts for

burial Ritual handwashing upon awakening and prior to

eating Male circumcision on 8th day after birth by child’s

father or Jewish physician Birth control allowed Abortion permitted only in specific circumstances Person should never die alone Body is ritually cleaned after death

Judaism May bury dead before sundown on day of death

and usually within 24 hours Organ donation permitted only after consultation

with rabbi Sabbath is sunset Friday to sunset Saturday Fast during some holy days May observe certain dietary laws called “kosher”

diets

Jehovah’s Witness Prohibited from receiving blood and blood products Elders will pray and read scriptures to promote healing Medications okay if not derived from blood products Birth control personal decision Abortion allowed only to save the life of the mother No last rites Organ donation discouraged due to transmission of

blood (All organs and tissues must be drained of blood before transplant)

Russian Orthodox Holy Unction and anointing body with oil used for

healing Will accept most medical treatments but believe in

divine healing Birth control prohibited Abortion prohibited List rites by ordained priest mandatory Arms of deceased are crossed Organ donations not encouraged May wear a cross necklace that should not be

removed

Mormon (LDS) May believe in divine healing with “laying on of

hands” or blessing by the church elders Anointing with oil can promote healing Infant blessing by clergy in church ASAP after

birth Baptism at 8 years of age Abortion prohibited Birth control individual’s choice May want church elders present at birth No last rites

Mormon (LDS) Special undergarments may be worn and should

not be removed unless necessary Fast on first Sunday of each month Avoid medications containing alcohol and

caffeine Avoid coffee, tea, caffeine-containing beverages

and alcoholic beverages

Amish May give birth at home Birth control not forbidden – but most do not use

(large families are a gift from God) Prohibit abortion No last rites Cremation not used Do not buy health insurance – church has mutual

aid fund May refuse prescription meds (use herbal

remedies)

Christian Scientist Illness can be eliminated through prayer and

spiritual understanding May not use medicine or surgical procedures May refuse blood transfusions Most will accept mandated immunizations Abortion discouraged Birth control individual’s decision No last rites Organ donation discouraged Most do not drink alcohol, coffee, or tea