Hello!
This is Ashley. I am the host of this site. I am glad you have found the forum. I am really excited to be able to discuss culture and healthcare. Just a bit of housekeeping; The first 6 forums listed are directly related to learning objectives I am required to meet. The topics are fairly specific, and as such I will be driving the conversation, though I encourage looking at the topics from any angle. I also will be referencing my posts, that is not an obligation to any other person, so please do not feel you must include references.
To start off this discussion, I will present some textbook definitions. This will ensure we are all on the same page for the discussion.
Culture: Commonly understood, learned traditions and unconscious rules of engagement that people use to interpret experience and to generate social behaviour
Diversity: A term used to describe variations between people with respect to a range of characteristics such as ethnicity, national origin, gender, social class, sexual orientation, age religion, physical abilities, values and life experiences.
Cultural Sensitivity: A complex concept. Refers to the understanding about the concept of culture, about self and one’s culture, and about the dynamics associated with the difference. Cultural sensitivity focuses on self-awareness and insight versus understanding the other.
Cultural Competence: The ability of the healthcare provider to apply knowledge and skills appropriately in interactions with clients in cross-cultural situations.
Multiculturalism: A condition when many cultures coexist in society and maintain their cultural differences. Multiculturalism also refers to the public policy of managing cultural diversity in a multi-ethnic society, emphasizing tolerance, and respect for cultural diversity. Multiculturalism is regarded as a fundamental characteristic of Canadian Society.
Definitions are taken directly from: The Health Care Professional’s Guide to Clinical Competence
Srivastava, R.H. (Ed.). (2007) The Health care professional’s guide to clinical competence. Toronto, ON: Mosby Elsevier
@JohnM Hello! Thanks so much for joining me! I have had a very hard time finding people to talk with. Glad to have some company!!
So what do you (or anyone else out there!! ) think about Canada and Multiculturalism? Canada is well known as being Multicultural as oppose to the USA which is considered more of a melting pot. My question is, do you think Canada and Canadians are really interested in being multicultural, or is the image more appealing than the reality?
I worked in Kitchens for years and we have a very different culture. People who work in Kitchens are definitely a different breed from most. We have people from lots of different backgrounds though.
Hi I have always thought the same.
Prior to taking this course, I had always assumed that culture and ethnicity were the same thing. I am wondering how many people also felt this way?