How does my own culture and experiences influence my knowledge of, and attitudes towards, people whose cultural and social identities differ from my own? What is the role of diversity in the successful functioning of a multiracial society?
1. Identify and confront barriers to cultural competency
The effect of language barriers, the influence of cultural differences on service delivery, and limited resources are all significant barriers to providing culturally competent care. Unless I can identify the barriers that exist it will be impossible to develop staff skills and solutions to confront them. Our patient is primarily caucasian (70%) with a growing mix of hispanic (30%). It’s difficult to deliver complex and often scary information to people about their newly diagnosed cancer. Often their fear is a barrier to effective communication. It is so much more difficult when there is an additional language barrier. How effective are we in communicating with our patients? How do we ask people with language barriers to participate effectively and actively in their own care?
2. Demonstrate the significance of cultural and ethnic differences in planning and implementing
policies and programs
Cultural competence in an organization starts with leadership. As I build a program to meet prevention, screening and cancer treatment needs, how do I include cultural and ethnic differences in the planning process?….not just backfilling language services later. What educational opportunities exist for staff? There is so much more to learn and so much improvement that can be made.
3. Identify and reflect on my own culture
It isn’t possible to meet someone where they are at if we aren’t self-aware. How do my own cultural experiences influence my thinking? What are my biases and how do they affect my interactions with others? I need to examine my own biases before I can truly know that I am considering the perspective of others.
