CULTURAL

SENSITIVITY
IN
HEALTHCAR
E
INTRODUCTION
Being sensitive to cultural differences is essential
to giving patients high-quality treatment. It
necessitates an appreciation for other cultural
traditions, beliefs, and values.

Age, sexuality, religious views, country, ethnic

origin, and ability are all examples of cultural
identity.

Healthcare professionals would make patients

comfortable and help them express their
requirements more effectively by fostering a
friendly and courteous atmosphere that is by
being sensitive to culturally sensitive.
 BACKGROUND
Given the fact that this notion is both functional and dynamic,
cultural sensitivity in healthcare did not appear out of nowhere.The
concept has been constantly explored and put to the test over a long
period of time by several healthcare professionals and organizations.
As a result, cultural sensitivity is a concept that is constantly evolving
presently.

It's crucial to keep in mind that even while these phrases typically
stand in for one another, they don't contradict one another. The
foundation for both cultural sensitivity and cultural safety was
created utilizing the ideas of cultural competency. Some individuals
still refer to competence, which is OK since this terminology just
serves to represent all of the advancements made in the field of
healthcare fairness.
 DID YOU
KNOW?
The civil rights movement in the United States of
America and its repercussions felt throughout the
globe, notably in Australia, in the 1960s and 1970s
gave rise to the concept of cultural competency and
sensitivity.
 CULTURAL HUMILITY
In conjunction with sensitivity, a concept that
promotes self-reflection through engaging in
cultural sensitivity is cultural humility. An excellent
instance of cultural humility would be to examine
your private preconceptions and consider how they
can affect the assistance you give to other
communities. A wonderful follow-up illustration of
cultural sensitivity when it comes to healthcare
could be going understood if you take the extra mile
to rectify errors and provide all of your patients with
the same standard of treatment.
 STAGES OF CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
Denial Defensive
01 At this point, people don't see the
distinctions and think that their own
02 In the defensive stage of cultural sensitivity
individuals are aware of certain differences but see
them negatively because they believe their way of life
culture is "real." to be the most advanced and superior.

Minimization
03 At this point in their development,
people are still ignorant that they are
04
reflecting their own cultural ideals.
Acceptance/Adaptation
People who have reached this level of cultural
sensitivity improve their proficiency in
intercultural communication.
 CULTURE & HEALTH
Since it influences people's opinions, beliefs, and habits about health
and well-being, culture has a big impact on healthcare. The way
individuals see health and sickness, look for and receive medical
treatment, and the way they communicate with healthcare providers
may all be impacted by cultural disparities.

To offer culturally competent treatment, healthcare practitioners

must be aware of and respectful of the cultural identities of their
patients. By doing so, healthcare professionals may better personalize
their treatment to fit the individual requirements of the people they
treat by having a thorough understanding of social customs, views,
and traditions. Cultural differences may cause misunderstanding,
distrust, and eventually, poor health results if they are not
acknowledged and addressed. In order to provide high-quality, care
that is patient-focused, cultural awareness is a crucial aspect of
healthcare.
 HOW IS CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
EMBEDDED IN HEALTHCARE?

Understanding patient Build trust Improving health

needs outcomes
They may use it to provide Patients believe in the procedure
and are felt valued and accepted by Patients are far more inclined to
individualized treatment and follow prescribed therapies when
prevent misconceptions. the staff.
they are appreciated.

Addressing health Enhancing Promoting diversity &

disparities Communication inclusion
Understanding the effects of culture Satisfaction among patients is increased
Better comprehension results in
and society on health makes it when heterogeneity is respected, and a
improved communication and care
simpler to comprehend the judgment-free environment is used.
for patients.
subjective nature of health.
 BARRIERS TO CULTURAL SENSITIVITY IN
HEALTHCARE

1. 2. 3. 4.

Misconceptions Stereotyping &

Language barriers Institutional barriers
about various biases instilled that prevent diversity
cultures beforehand
 HOW TO BECOME MORE
CULTURALLY SENSITIVE
1. Look into your personal prejudices
2. Avoid asking private questions unrelated to the
services the patient came for.
3. Avoid expressing personal preconceived notions in
front of the patients.
4. Encourage patients to ask questions.
5. Learn about cultural nuances along with how to be
more attentive to others' cultures.
6. Be thoughtful and courteous.
7. Keep your jokes free of biases.
8. Build confidence and rapport
9. Strive to get through any linguistic obstacles.
 Q/A
1.What is the definition of cultural identity?
a) A person's age and nationality b) A person's sexual orientation and religious beliefs c) A person's cultural background and ability d) All of the above

2. What is the relationship between cultural safety, cultural competence, and cultural sensitivity in healthcare?
b) Cultural safety replaces cultural competence and cultural sensitivity b) Cultural competence replaces cultural safety and cultural sensitivity c) Cultural sensitivity replaces
cultural safety and cultural competence d) Cultural safety was built using the principles of cultural competence, and cultural sensitivity was built using the principles of cultural
safety

3. What is the historical origin of the idea of cultural competence/sensitivity in healthcare?

c) The Enlightenment era in Europe b) The Industrial Revolution in the US c) The Civil Rights movement in the US d) The Renaissance era in Italy

4. What is cultural humility in healthcare? a) A replacement for cultural sensitivity b) A supplement to cultural sensitivity that encourages self-reflection c) A type of prejudice
towards certain cultural groups d) A tool to discriminate against certain patients based on their cultural background

5. How can healthcare providers practice cultural humility? a) By ignoring their own prejudices towards certain cultural groups b) By providing different levels of care to different
cultural groups c) By examining their own prejudices and correcting them to provide equal care to all patients d) By refusing to treat patients who come from different cultural
backgrounds

6. What are the stages of cultural sensitivity? a) Acceptance, adaptation, resistance, assimilation b) Denial, Defensive, minimization, acceptance and adaptation c) Ignorance,
avoidance, curiosity, tolerance

7. Which of the following is NOT a stage of cultural sensitivity? a) Acceptance b) Defensive c) Minimization d) Assimilation

8. What is the significance of culture in healthcare?

A) It has no role in shaping people's beliefs, values, and behaviors related to health and wellness B) It affects how patients perceive health and illness, seek and receive medical
care, and interact with healthcare providers C) Healthcare providers do not need to understand and respect the cultural backgrounds of their patients to provide quality care D)
Failure to recognize and address cultural differences does not impact health outcomes
9. What is one benefit of cultural sensitivity in healthcare?
a) Increasing healthcare costs b) Decreasing patient trust c) Improving health outcomes d) Ignoring social and cultural factors

10. Which of the following actions can help healthcare providers avoid being culturally insensitive?
A) Making jokes based on stereotypes B) Avoiding questions from patients C) Educating themselves on cultural differences D) Sharing personal opinions irrelevant to the services
being provided
THANKS
!