Cultural Humility
Culture, traditions, spiritual beliefs, and upbringing form an important role in guiding an individuals beliefs. Cultural humility is the practice of suspending what you (think) you know about a person based on generalisations about their culture. Culture (and humility) are important because:
- Medical needs are contextual and dependent, in part, on an individuals values
- Individuals may have many different cultural heritages that they feel different degrees of affinity and connection to
This makes generalising the beliefs of a culture to a person potentially harmful. - Ignoring culture has a demonstrable adverse impact on healthcare outcomes
The term “died” may not be appropriate in some indigenous Australian groups - “finished up” might be used instead.
Cultural Identity
Cultural identity reflects how an individual sees themselves in relations to the world, and may incorporate:
- Beliefs
- Values
- Ethnicity
- Nationality
- Language
- Social background
- Generation
- Wealth
- Sex
- Gender
- Religion
Individual differences in cultural identify can be seen by how different people adopt the attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, and values of different cultural groups that they belong to.
Approach
Recognise where your understanding ends and when to seek help. Avenues include:
Focusing only on the patients cultural identify may becoming “othering”, as it emphasises the differences of the patient from the practioners frame of reference. Instead, be:
- Regardful of your own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours
- Respectful of the patients
- Ask the patient how they would like to be treated
Genuine interest, openness, and sharing vulnerability is almost always well-regarded. - Consult the family
- Cultural representatives
- Read about the culture
- Engage an indigenous liaison officer or cultural support worker
References
- CICM Communications Course. Course Notes. 2023.
- Core Family Donation Conversation (FDC) Workshop. Course Notes. 2023.
- RACP. Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety. RACP Online Learning. 2024.
- Belfrage M. Why “culturally safe” health care? Med J Aust. 2007 May 21;186(10).