Patient Compliance Patient Education
Multicultural Communication and its Origin
A multicultural setting is a society or community with people with varying beliefs, and ways of doing things and does not necessarily interact with each other(Schriefer, 2016). In this case, communication involves the use of different languages as well as verbal and non-verbal methods that differ across the various cultures. Business and immigration in earlier centuries brought about multicultural interaction.
Culture, Ethnicity, and Acculturation
Culture defines how people do things, the beliefs, traditions, and language, whereas ethnicity refers to people belonging to a particular group based on such traits. Ethnic background results in groups sharing common aspects being labeled as members of a specific ethnic group. Acculturation involves an adaptation of culture different from the one an individual is accustomed to. Immigration plays a significant role in acculturation as people living in countries away from their environments take up the norms and regulations of the host country (Romero et al., 2018, p.9). Asians living in Western countries are likely to adopt a different dressing code and learn a new language. Ethnicity is based on cultural similarities, whereas acculturation is based on adaptation to a different way of doing things. All three perspectives include beliefs, language, norms that a particular societal setting ascribes to defining how and why people do things the way they do.
How Cultural and Religious Differences Affect the Health Care Professional and the Issues That Can Arise In Cross-Cultural Communications
Culture and religion affect health care professionals since particular cultural and religious beliefs guide how an individual executes specific tasks. A difference in these beliefs between the caregiver and patient would result in a flawed communication process. For example, a patient who does not believe in organ transplant would put the health care professional in limbo concerning possible patient treatment. The difference in beliefs between the two would result in the professional not realizing the best outcome.
Family Culture and Its Effect on Patient Education
Family culture defines how members approach healthcare-related issues such as treatment. A situation whereby the members believe in traditional methods would affect patient education given by a health care professional. A patient who gives birth through a home setting traditional method would be unwilling to go to the hospital to avoid possible complications despite education by a health care specialist.
Approaches the Health Care Professional Can Use To Address Religious and Cultural Diversity
Approaches such as the use of translators and written instead of verbal communication can be used to address cultural diversity where the language barrier is involved. Religious beliefs that do not support professional opinion should be considered when seeking treatment, such as the involvement of spiritualists. Traditional medicine use, such as herbs, acupuncture, and massage therapy, can also be incorporated into the patient treatment process. A mix of traditional and modern medicine would achieve better results in a situation where religion and culture play a role. Familiarizing with the culture or religion in question by doing research would also help the health caregiver address religious and cultural diversity.
Types of Illiteracy
Cultural illiteracy involves a lack of knowledge of a culture that is different from an individual’s norms. Health care illiteracy is the lack of information concerning medical practice, such as regulations. Functional illiteracy involves a lack of know-how concerning tasks such as reading and writing that make everyday task execution possible. Computer illiteracy is the lack of knowledge on the use of a computer at a basic level, limiting access to information online. Technological illiteracy refers to the lack of understanding of how particular gadgets work despite constant exposure and teaching on how to use the technology.
Illiteracy as a Disability
Illiteracy is termed a disability when the reason behind the lack of knowledge is based on a mental or physical impairment that makes it difficult to assimilate new information (Lessack, 2013). Learning disability causes illiteracy, but illiteracy does not equate to disability.
Myths about Illiteracy
Illiteracy is associated with developing countries and is not the case as many adults live in the U.S. and other developed countries with information and functional problems. There is also the assumption that the lack of knowledge is a result of stupidity. Some people have high IQ levels but did not attend school for various reasons, such as war and financial challenges. The assumption that illiterate people are individuals in low paying jobs is another lie as there are cases of people in workplaces and businesses who have reading problems.
How to Assess Literacy Skills and Evaluate Written Material for Readability
Assessing literacy skills can be done through patient engagement to identify what the patient knows regarding the health care system, such as payment options, treatment, and patient care, to name a few. Written material can be given in the form of a patient history questionnaire, and the answers or lack thereof would provide better insight into a patient’s readability and comprehension score. Sometimes the lack of understanding is not due to slow comprehension, but the use of complicated language; hence simplifying would be necessary.
Ways a Health Care Professional May Establish Effective Communication
Understanding, embracing, and appreciating diversity improves communication. The use of simple spoken and written grammar is another way of establishing effective interaction. Reading a patient’s non-verbal communication, such as gestures and body language, is also essential as it helps the professional identify traits such as anger, reservation, and acceptance.
Ways the Health Care Professional Can Help a Patient Remember Instructions
Installing reminders on gadgets such as phones or smartwatch can help a patient remember instructions. Written instructions that a patient can place at a conveniently accessible place would also be helpful. In a home setting, having the family members or caregivers remind the patient of medication instructions can also help the patient remember instructions.
References
Lessack, S. (2013). Can not knowing how to read be a disability?. Business Management Daily.
Retrieved 24 June 2020, from https://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/34436/can-not-knowing-how-to-read-be-a-disability/#:~:text=A.,as%20reading%2C%20learning%20or%20communicating.
Romero, C., Laroche, M., Aurup, G., & Ferraz, S. (2018). Ethnicity and acculturation of
environmental attitudes and behaviors: A cross-cultural study with Brazilians in Canada. Journal Of Business Research, 82, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.09.009
Schriefer, P. (2016). What’s the difference between multicultural, intercultural, and cross
cultural communication? – The Spring Institute. Springinstitute.org. Retrieved 24 June 2020, from https://springinstitute.org/whats-difference-multicultural-intercultural-cross-cultural-communication/.