Global Health and Cultural Competence

Answer

Global Health and Cultural Competence

The contemporary society comprises of linguistic and culturally diverse patients, which has been increasing. According to Kaihlanen, Hietapakka, and Heponiemi (2019), healthcare providers globally are expected to deliver quality care to promote the patient’s outcome. On the other hand, there are several challenges associated with cultural and language issues which threaten the safety of the individuals in the hospital. Loftin, Hartin, Branson, and Reyes (2013) espouse that ethnically and racially diverse populations suffer significant rates of disability and illness, which affects their access to health compared to other communities. Therefore, cultural competence has attracted wide attention as a critical strategy to provide adequate and equal care to diverse patient groups. The concept of cultural competence is multi-dimensional. It entails an individual’s attitude or cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, and cultural skills and knowledge. In the healthcare realm, cultural competence involves understanding how the cultural and social factors impact the health behaviours and beliefs, and how the elements are considered in the healthcare system. Culture, on the other, hand involves the social behaviour, customs, beliefs, and ideas that people of a particular society hold. This paper entails an evaluation of cultural competence and global health. It also involves a comparison of different cultures, including mine and another.  

Reflection and Discussion of Personal Culture

In my home country, India, there are several religions, languages, ethnicities, and cultures. In my culture, health is a critical aspect of one’s wellbeing. My culture considers the body as the place for the soul. Also, the body experiences the world and journey to spiritual wellbeing. My culture also believes in nursing and medical care, which are essential for one’s growth and wellbeing. I believe in human life being the highest form. My culture does not encourage euthanasia or assisted suicide. We believe that the decision regarding human life does not belong to humans. Instead, nature and the creator are responsible for taking one’s life, which should be acknowledged and respected. My culture also acknowledges the importance of technology and advancements in medical and healthcare, which have transformed how the care is delivered, including the end of life care (Sharma, Jagdish, Anusha, and Bharti, 2013). On the other hand, health and individual’s wellbeing can be promoted through traditional healing. Alternative and complementary medicine can be used to enhance one’s health.

Disease prevention and treatment are core elements of cultural competence. According to Handike, Schigen, and Mosko (2019), cultural barriers should be eliminated to ensure individuals access appropriate treatment according to their healthcare issues and personal preferences. In my culture, there has been a transformation in disease prevention and treatment measures. Approximately three decades ago, public healthcare was not common. In contemporary society, community health is vital in preventing diseases and establishing a management plan. Individual, family, and community healthcare is central in promoting the healthcare and wellbeing of society. According to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (2016), registered nurses work in professional and therapeutic relationships with individuals, communities, groups, and families. My culture acknowledges the role of the family in the individual’s healing. In most Indian cultures, including mine, the family plays a vital role in one’s recovery, especially for chronic illnesses and mental health.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is essential in my culture. According to Ong’udi, Mutai, and Weru (2019), the use of CAM has increased alongside conventional medicine. Further, the attitude of the general public has increased, which has resulted in a broad debate regarding the clinical effectiveness of using CAM. In India’s culture, the use of CAM is high, especially in mental health and chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. The aged are the majority who use these medicines. For instance, Pundit et al. (2016) evaluated the use of CAM in Parkinson disease and found out that out of 233 patients observed, 46%, which represent 106 individuals used CAM. A fundamental discovery is that CAM users were characterised by higher education and urban residence. In my culture, traditional medicine and CAM are widely used, although the healthcare providers acknowledge that patients notify them about these medicines. Some of the common CAM used are acupuncture, Ayurveda, and Homeopathic.

My culture is specific in how healthcare is provided. Both the young and the aged are concerned with their wellbeing and acknowledge the importance of holistic care. The spiritual health is also vital to us, which is the foundation of healthcare providers integrating the cultural needs in one’s care. This demonstrates the importance of person-centred care (Santana et al., 2018). From maternal care to chronic illnesses, my culture considers the role of spiritual care in promoting the individual’s recovery and overall wellbeing. A key aspect to note in this regard is that the aged in my culture are hesitant to receive care from young individuals, especially those that do not understand their culture and language. 

Discussion on Different Culture

A comparative culture is that belonging to the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. The preference for selecting this culture is centred on the several challenges that this community faces across the four dimensions of social, economic, politics, and culture (Li, 2017). Besides, the challenges that this population faces in accessing safe and quality care have been persistent despite the Australian government’s interventions and efforts to ensure equality. Further, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders face several cultural barriers, which are defined as obstacles faced by people in accessing quality healthcare. To the Australians Aboriginals, the restrictions include practices, medical procedures, sexuality and gender conceptions, and various languages.

Language is the primary element among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ culture. To their culture, the English language is either secondary or tertiary communication language. The majority, especially the aged understand their cultural language. This influences the language barrier (Stanford, Charlton, McMahon, & Winch, 2019). During the access to healthcare services, the Aboriginals require a translator or the assistance by an individual that understand their culture. This is essential in communicating the patient’s needs and the management plan from the physicians and nurses. According to the Australian Indigenous, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have their unique traditions, language, and culture that guide their beliefs, laws and customs.

The aboriginal concept of health is not constrained in the physical wellbeing of the person. Instead, health encompasses the cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing of the entire community. For the aboriginals, health is perceived as a whole and healthcare services should focus on achieving the state where each person can achieve their best potential and also contribute to the entire wellbeing of the whole community. According to the Australian Indigenous (n. d), health and wellbeing is holistic and entails the whole community throughout the entire course of life. It involves broad issues, including rights, equity and social justice. The traditional knowledge and healing are also vital. During the delivery of healthcare, health is perceived as cultural, physical, mental, and spiritual health.

The population’s culture influences the health and wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Among the core elements of this population’s culture is the expression of daily life, which entails sharing knowledge, aspiration for learning, and connection to oneself and culture (Crowe et al., 2017). In this culture, the consumption of food is critical for the individual’s daily life. Both the healthy and unhealthy practices surface as key determinants of the individual’s health. The Aboriginals have a sophisticated culture and beliefs, which should be considered during care delivery. According to Harfield et al. (2018), the indigenous primary healthcare service delivery model encompasses several elements, which are based on acknowledging the diverse cultures and beliefs of the Aboriginals. During the delivery of care, especially, chronic illnesses, accessibility to healthcare services, flexibility, and community participation should be integrated into care delivery.

The Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people have a rich culture in various elements, including ceremonies, sacred objects, and places. They also acknowledge the importance of traditional healers. These individuals are highly recognised and respected as doctors and healers. They also served as custodians to dreaming stories. As described by Bainbridge, Tsey, McCalman, and Towle (2014), mentorship is also essential in the Aboriginals’ life. In the relationship between the mentors and mentees, it is centred on passing down the experience and information according to the individual’s needs. This relationship is essential in the transmission of capital, knowledge, and social support according to one’s needs.

Compare and Contrast

There are several similarities and distinctions between my culture and that of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people. The primary similarity is that both cultures consider health as vital in an individual’s wellbeing, growth, and development.

Similarities

Both cultures consider the community and family as vital in one’s wellbeing. In my culture, the recovery process is promoted by the collaboration between the healthcare provider, family, and the community. Similarly, the individual’s health is fostered by the connection between the person and society. Another similarity is the richness in the culture. In both my context and that of the Aboriginals, culture has a rich tradition and encompasses various aspects. To the Aboriginals, they acknowledge their unique connection with the land the commitment to the community and family (Berndt & Tonkinson, 2018). In my culture also, traditions and beliefs play a vital role in one’s wellbeing, including the role of religion.

Another core similarity involves the adaptation to the cultural transformation, globalisation, and modernisation. The Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders have dramatically adapted to everything that has been introduced into Australia for the last three centuries. Although the first nations have proved their resilience and richness in culture, they have accommodated the new practices introduced in the country, including those that involve health and wellbeing of the people. The Aboriginals have learned to live with people from other areas and accepting their traditions. My culture has also changed and acknowledged the increasing role of technology in healthcare delivery. From personal experience, I have engaged with various individuals and learned about their cultures. My culture also respects those of others, which is vital in interpersonal relationships regardless of the individual’s diversity affiliation. Another similarity entails respect to one’s health and wellbeing. In both my culture and that of the Aboriginals, traditional healers play a vital role in one’s wellbeing and recovery. Both cultures respect the importance of conventional medicine in the person’s recovery. This is essential in promoting one’s overall wellbeing.

Differences

My culture and that of the aboriginals differ in various ways. First, the aboriginal’s culture is sophisticated and involves the individual’s connection with the land. It is also concerned with rich rituals and traditions, which encompass the individual’s welfare. In my culture, it is a bit relaxed, especially in the individual’s restrictions. Although both cultures acknowledge the roles of traditional healers, my culture does not consider the importance of traditional individuals as the custodians to the rituals and traditions. Another difference entails the language (Amery, 2017). The languages are different, which is reflected in the communication process. Another difference is the dynamism and adaptation. My culture is flexible and acknowledges the importance of changes in society, including technology. To the aboriginals, the indigenous culture is more complex and does not involve continuous changes. The complexity is reflected in maintaining education through songs, dance, and art. Other elements include conducting the rituals, maintaining shelter, social controls, and customary laws (Gee et al., 2014). The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders carry out the land management practices and consider the nature and links. To the Aboriginals, the individual’s wellbeing is significantly influenced by the connection with the land. This is not the case in my culture, where the land and rituals do not constrain health. Another significant difference is that the Aboriginals have a high connection with their traditional healing practices compared to my culture.

Implications for Practice

The contrasting cultures and beliefs discussed above play a vital in diversity in care. Healthcare providers are required to demonstrate cultural competence in delivering quality and safe care to the people. However, the difference in the cultures is a major hindrance in achieving the quality and safe care to every individual without negatively affecting their wellbeing. According to Stanford et al. (2019), one of the key elements in providing adequate care is enhancing the individual’s awareness regarding their health and the management practices. This cannot be achieved without understanding the person’s language and cultural variation. For instance, the Aboriginals have their language and English is considered secondary or tertiary. In my culture also, language is vital in communication. Healthcare providers may not understand these languages and may, therefore, require translators, who are not always available. This affects the implementation of the person-centred care since the individual’s needs cannot be incorporated in the care delivery model.

Nurses and midwives in Australia are guided by standards for practice. These include thinking critically, engaging in professional and therapeutic relationships, conducting comprehensive assessments, and developing a profound and comprehensive management plan. In meeting these standards, the person’s culture is crucial. To the Aboriginals for instance, understanding the rituals and connections to the community and family is vital in conducting the healthcare assessment and implementing the care plan. Healthcare providers are therefore required to demonstrate competence in these cultures, which aid in meeting the practice standards. Another challenge of the disparities in the cultures is the inability to distinguish the use of conventional and current medicines alongside the complementary and alternative healing.

Characteristics of a Cultural Competent Healthcare System

A culturally competent healthcare system acknowledges the individual’s diversities and ensures that the care delivery meets these differences. The system should comprise of cultural competent individuals, who are characterised by several skills. These include interpersonal, communication, and teamwork. To promote the cultural competence of the healthcare workforce, an important intervention is continuous training of the individuals regarding cultural competence. Healthcare facilities equip the individuals with diverse knowledge on various aspects, such as the engagement and communication with culturally diverse individuals and providing care that is oriented to the individual’s needs and preferences (Kaihlanen et al., 2019). This is essential in ensuring every individual’s needs are respected and integrated in the care.

Another intervention is the collaboration between the contemporary healthcare facilities and the those that comprise the individual’s specific culture. In Australia for instance, there are several indigenous care facilities, which are concerned with the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander individuals. The collaboration between these two facilities is essential in ensuring collaborative care. This introduces the importance of inter-professional care where healthcare providers from diverse cultures and backgrounds collaborate to deliver culturally competent care (Loftin et al., 2013). Drawing from the inter-professional care theory, cultural competent workforce should be dynamic and inclusive of individuals from various backgrounds.

A cultural competent healthcare system can also be achieved through policy frameworks. These include equality in care delivery. Such a policy ensures that every individual has access to quality care regardless of their needs and preferences (Li, 2017). Also, equality in care delivery eliminates the barriers that individuals from diverse cultures face, including social, economic, and political.

In summary, cultural competence among healthcare workers is vital in promoting the quality and safety of the individuals. It is concerned with understanding the differences in the population and ensuring that every individual receives quality care according to the person’s needs. A culturally competent workforce is characterised by various skills, including communication, teamwork, and interpersonal. Drawing from my culture and that of the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders, it is apparent that cultures have similarities and differences, which should be acknowledged in healthcare delivery. In both cultures, health is holistic and encompass the importance of social, economic, and political elements. From the analysis above, culture plays a crucial role in promoting the individual’s wellbeing. Healthcare providers and the system should demonstrate cultural competence through policies and interventions. For instance, the workforce should be continuously educated regarding cultural competence and diversity, which aids in engagement with the diverse individuals. Equality in care is also essential in promoting the access and delivery of care to every individual regardless of diversity affiliation.