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Transforming
the Face of Health Professions Through Cultural
& Linguistic Competence Education:
The Role of the HRSA Centers of Excellence
Appendix A: The Toolbox
I. Building Cultural Awareness
The tools included in this section can be used
by a provider to build cultural awareness, particularly
for self-awareness. They include: Cultural Genogram
Exercise, Exploring One's Community Map, Context
Grid, the Iceberg Analogy, the Diversity Wheel,
and the Cox Pie Charts.
A. Cultural Genogram Exercise
Cultural Genogram –The cultural genogram
is a tool developed by Hardy and Laszloffy (1995)
to increase providers’ cultural awareness
and sensitivity through the use of the family
genogram or family tree. Family genograms are
used widely for training and for clinical purposes
to explore a variety of family structures, relationships
and legacies, e.g. legacies of loss. They also
can be used to explore spirituality (Wiggins
Frame, 2001). It also can be used to explore
socio-cultural variables within the family and
the meanings that are attributed to these variables.
The goal of exercises using cultural genogram
is to increase awareness of the provider’s
cultural background, the significant socio-cultural
differences that emerge in the family of origin
and the meaning attributed to these differences
(valences).
Cultural Genogram Exercise
Sketch your genogram (at least a three-generation
family tree) in the traditional manner, using
squares for males and circles for females. Honor
the diversity in family forms: i.e. single,
blended, adopted, same sex, etc. Be as extensive
as you can, assured that the genogram is for
your use and will be shared with others only
as you wish. Note any differences in your family
tree that are of significance to you. Refer
to the following guidelines.
Preparing the Cultural Genogram:
1. Defining one’s culture of origin:
The culture of origin is comprised by our simultaneous
membership and participation in a variety of
contexts such as language; rural, urban, suburban
setting; race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status;
age, gender, religion, Nationality; employment,
education and occupation, political ideology,
stage of acculturation.” (Falicov, 1998)
Use different colors or symbols to identify
each influence in your family tree, i.e. color
the squares or circles a certain color for a
specific ethnic group or more than one color
denoting the mixtures.
2. For each family member representing a group
or subgroup that is part of your culture consider
the following:
a. |
How is family defined in the
group? (nuclear, extended, blended, same
sex, etc.) |
b. |
For ethnic groups: Note the migration
patterns of the group and the historical
context of immigration. If other than Native
American, under what conditions did your
family (or their descendants) enter the
United States? (i.e. immigrant, political
refugee, slave, etc.)? |
c. |
Race: What significance does race, skin
color, and hair play in each group represented? |
d. |
Geographical region: What role does region
and geography play for each group/sub-group
group? |
e. |
Gender: How are gender roles defined within
the group/each generation? |
f. |
Religion and spirituality: What is the
religious affiliation of members of the
family? Note meanings associated with religious
affiliation, practice, non-practice, conversion
or intermarriage. |
g. |
Health and mental health: note illnesses
and the meanings associated to health and
illness. |
h. |
Social class: What occupational roles
are valued and devalued by the group? |
i. |
Age: What is the relationship between
age and the values of the group? |
3. Note intercultural marriages: Explore how
divergent cultural issues were negotiated in
these unions and the influence in had on the
children. How does this group view outsiders
or is viewed by them?
4. Note how group values have shaped your family
and its members? How have they shaped you?
5. Meaning of the differences:
- What significant differences emerge in
your family of origin?
- What was the meaning associated with those
differences? i.e. better than, less than;
pride and shame issues; where was the power
and what was its effect ?
- Note and discuss in your small group the
emotional and/or behavioral effects of: pride-shame.
- What are the rules for talking about differences
in your family?
Adapted from Hardy, K.V. and Laszloffy, T.A.
(1995) for ECCP course at Harvard Medical School
(Contact for ECCP Course: Roxana_llerena-quinn@hms.harvard.edu)
References:
Hardy, K.V. and Laszloffy, T.A. (1995) The
Cultural Genogram: Key to Training Culturally
Competent Family Therapists. Journal of Marital
and Family Therapy. 21(3): 227-37
Wiggins Frame, M. (2001) The Spiritual Genogram
in Training and Supervision. The Family Journal-
Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families.
9(2): 109-115
B. Exploring One's Community Map
The goal of this exercise is to increase our
awareness of the communities we have been and
are a part of and, what they tell us about our
preferences and comfort zones. It also aims
to raise awareness about the communities we
don’t know very well and what they might
tell us about our blind spots.
Capturing Our Social Network: then and now
1. How do you define community? What does “community”
mean to you?
2. Make a list of the communities of which you
are a part.
3. Who makes up those communities? Who is not
there? Is it different from the communities
in which you grew up? How so?
4. Where did you grow up? Who else lived there?
Who wasn’t there? (Pinderhughes, 1989)
5. How did you or your family feel about “them”
and how do you think they felt about you?
6. What does your map of communities say about
your comfort zone? Others’ comfort zone
with you?
7. What is your position or location in the
communities you described?
Adapted from Pinderhughes (1989) for ECCP course
at Harvard Medical School (Contact for ECCP
course: Roxana_llerena-quinn@hms.harvard.edu)
Reference:
Pinderhughes, E. (1989) Understanding Race,
Ethnicity, & Power: The Key to Efficacy
in Clinical Practice. New York: Free Press;
109-146.
C. Context Grid
This context grid can be use to facilitate
understanding of the differences that exist
between and within members from different ethnic
groups. It addition to differences, it helps
highlight points of connection or similarities
that exist across different ethnic groups. It
can be used by providers or for patients, or
to explore similarities and differences between
the two.
CONTEXTUAL
FACTORS FOR
CASE PRESENTATION
or SELF-EXPLORATION*
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Black or African
American |
Asian |
Hispanic/Latino |
American Indian or
Alaskan Native |
Native Hawaiian &
other Pacific Islander |
White |
Other |
Gender |
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Race |
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Country of Origin |
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Socio-economic
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Immigration |
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Language(s) |
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Sexual Orientation |
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Religion/
Spirituality
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Other:
Age, Disability, etc. |
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*Use GRID to map the clinician, family
members, provider team or a patient.
CONTEXT GRID
Race: Distinguish race from
ethnicity; different ethnic groups include different
racial groups. What is the historical and current
power dynamics associated to the construction
of skin color for this group? If multiracial,
what groups?
Country of Origin: Distinguish
country of birth, ethnic background/s, country
of citizenship. What socio-political issues
in the global /local contexts are associated
to membership in this group?
SES: Includes education, occupation,
income, status, level of power/life control
over resources, note SES pre/post migration.
Immigration/Refugee Status/Acculturation:
Country of birth, reason for migration,
migration history, historical context of immigration,
immigration status, length of stay in the U.S.,
moves within the U.S.; opportunities for involvement
with culture of origin, and/or with host culture,
ethnic identity, perception of discrimination/racism,
note if trauma/violence related to migration
or reason for migration. Note if family was
left behind, plans to reunite, generation level,
intergenerational conflicts, cultural factors
and development. How does society mirror this
group? Is there a refugee history associated
with immigration? Are there any health and mental
health issues? Is this a transnational family?
Who is the family (here and there)? Note acculturation
patterns, stresses.
Language(s): Primary language
spoken at home, language of instruction at school,
current use of primary language, other languages
spoken, level of literacy/fluency of each-[understand,
speak, reads, writes].
Sexual Orientation: Experiences
of discrimination and disclosure, in family
and culture of origin vs. host culture. Are
there any significant intersections between
sexual orientation and other group dimensions?
Religion: Dominant/marginalized
religious affiliation in country of origin,
in host culture. Is religion a primary source
of identity? How is the individual or family
religious affiliation mirrored by society?
Prepared by Roxana Llerena-Quinn, Ph.D and
Fabiana Wallis, Ph.D. (Harvard Medical School-reprint
permission can be requested to roxana_llerena-quinn@hms.harvard.edu)
D. Iceberg Analogy
This tool can assist in discussing the immediately
apparent and not so immediately apparent characteristics
of one's culture. Discussion questions follow
the diagram.
![](Iceberg%20Analogy.jpg)
(d-link)
Discussion Questions for Iceberg Analogy
- Where are the most of the differences between
people?
- Are they immediately apparent?
- What does this analogy suggest?
- What attributes do we have most control
over?
- What attributes do we react to?
E. Diversity Wheel
This tool can be used to discuss what constitutes
"diversity." Diversity can be defined
as all the ways in which people are different.
It affects how people see the world, how they
behave, and what values they hold, among others.
(d-link)
Source: Diverse Team. Lee, Gardenswartz, and
Rowe. Burr Ridge, IL: Irwin Professionals, 1994.
Used with permission. Note: Internal Dimensions
and External Dimensions are adapted from Marilyn
Loden and Judy Rosener, Workforce America! Burr
Ridge, IL: Irwin Professionals, 1991
Adapted by Kaiser Permanente (2003).
F. Cox Pie Charts
Please see grid in Chapter 7 for description
of tool.
Culture is Like Genetics:
Group Definition, Individual Expression
Examples of Culture
Identity Structure (d-link)
Define Your Cultural
Identity Structure (Cox, 1994) (d-link)
![](Circle.jpg) |
A. List Your
Cultural Identity Elements
1 .
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. B. Create
a pie chart with these elements.
Size of slices reflects strength
(importance to you) of each element.
|
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4-10 cultural groups with which
you personally identify with, e.g. gender, race/ethnicity,
occupation, etc.
Source: Cox Self-Identity Exercise (Pie Chart)
as it appears in: Cox, Taylor Jr. (1994) Cultural
Diversity in Organization: Theory, Research,
and Practice. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler
Publishers, Inc., Pg. 49.
Adapted by The Cultural Imperative
II. Mnemonics
Mnemonics are devices, such as a formula or
rhyme, used as an aid in remembering. The mnemonics
listed here are primarily used in interacting
with patients. Refer to the original citation
for more detailed explanation for each of the
mnemonics.
LEARN
L Listen with sympathy and
understanding to the patient's perception of
the problem.
E Explain your perceptions
of the problem.
A Acknowledge and discuss the
differences and similarities.
R Recommend treatment.
N Negotiate agreement.
From: Berlin E.A. and Fowkes, W.C. Jr: A Teaching
Framework for Cross-Cultural Health Care, Western
Journal of Medicine 1983, 139:934-938
ESFT
E Explanatory Model of Health
and Illness
S Social and Environmental
Factors
F Fears and Concerns
T Therapeutic Contracting
Adapted from Betancourt J.R., Carrillo J.E.,
Green A.R. (1999). Hypertension in Multicultural
and Minority Populations: Linking Communication
to Compliance. Current Hypertension
Adapted from Betancourt J.R.,
Carrillo J.E., Green A.R. (1999). Hypertension
in Multicultural and Minority Populations: Linking
Communication to Compliance. Current Hypertension
Reports, 1:482-488
ETHNIC: A Framework for Culturally Competent
Clinical
E: Explanation |
What do you think may be the
reason you have these symptoms?
What do friends, family, others say about
these symptoms?
Do you know anyone else who has had or who
has this kind of problem?
Have you heard about/read/seen it on TV/radio/newspaper?
(If patient cannot offer explanation, ask
what most concerns them about their problems). |
T: Treatment |
What kinds of medicines, home remedies
or other treatments have you tried for this
illness?
Is there anything you eat, drink, or do
(or avoid) on a regular basis to stay healthy?
Tell me about it.What kind of treatment
are you seeking from me? |
H: Healers |
Have you sought any advice from alternative/folk
healers, friends or other people (non-doctors)
for help with your problems? Tell me about
it? |
N: Negotiate |
Negotiate options that will be mutually
acceptable to you and your patient and that
do not contradict, but rather incorporate
your patient's beliefs .
Ask what are the most important results
your patient hopes to achieve from this
intervention. |
I: Intervention |
Determine an intervention with your patient.
May include incorporation of alternative
treatments, spirituality, and healers as
well as other cultural practices (e.g. foods
eaten or avoided in general, and when sick) |
C: Collaboration |
Collaborate with the patient, family members,
other health care team members, healers
and community resources. |
Levin, S.J., Like, R.C., and Gottlieb,
J.E. (2000) ETHNIC: A framework for culturally
competent clinical practice. In Appendix: Useful
clinical interviewing mnemonics. Patient Care,
34(9): 188-189
BATHE: A Useful Mnemonic for Eliciting the Psychosocial
Context
B: BACKGROUND A simple question.
"What is going on in your life?" elicits
the context of the patient's visit.
A: AFFECT (The feeling state)
Asking "How do you feel about what is going
on?" or "What is your mood?"
allows the patient to report and label the current
feeling state.
T: TROUBLE "What about
the situation troubles you the most?" helps
the physician and patient focus, and may bring
out the symbolic significance of the illness
or event.
H: HANDLING "How are
you handling that?" gives an assessment
of functioning and provides direction for an
intervention.
E: EMPATHY "That must
be very difficult for you" legitimizes
the patient's feelings and provides psychological
support.
From: Stuart, M.R. and Lieberman, J.A III. The
Fifteen Minute Hour: Practical Therapeutic Interventions
in Primary Care, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia,
PA: Saunders, 2002
ADHERE: A Mnemonic for Improving
Patient Adherence with Therapeutic Regimens
A: Acknowledge the need for
treatment with the patient, and ask about previous
treatments utilized. Together determine mutual
goals and desired outcomes.
D: Discuss potential treatment
strategies and options, as well as consequences
of non-treatment with the patient (consider
issues such as treatment effectiveness, prognosis,
use of complementary/ alternative medicine,
brand name vs. generics, off-label uses, prescription
plans, formularies, etc.).
H: Handle any questions or
concerns the patient may have about treatment
(e.g., fears or worries, side effects, costs,
dosage, frequency, timing, sequence, duration
of treatment, drug or food interactions, proper
storage techniques).
E: Evaluate the patient’s
functional health literacy and understanding
of the purpose/rationale for treatment, and
assess barriers and facilitators to adherence
(e.g., environmental, economic, occupational,
and sociocultural factors, family situation
and supports)
R: Recommend treatment, and
review the therapeutic regimen with the patient.
E: Empower by eliciting the
patient’s commitment and willingness to
follow-through with the therapeutic regimen.
From: The Provider’s Guide to
Quality and Culture (http://erc.msh.org/quality&culture)
Published in Soto-Greene, M., Salas-Lopez,
D., Sanchez, J., and Like, R.C. (2004) Antecedents
to Effective Treatment of Hypertension in Hispanic
Populations. Clinical Cornerstone, 6(3): 30-36
RESPECT
R espect - A demonstrable
attitude involving both verbal and nonverbal
communications
E xplanatory Model - What
is the patient's point of view about his or
her illness? How does it relate to the physician's
point of view? All points of view must be elicited
and reconciled.
S ociocultural context - How
class, race, ethnicity, gender, education, sexual
orientation, immigrant status, and family and
gender roles, for example, affect care
P ower - Acknowledging the
power differential between patients and physicians
E mpathy - Putting into words
the significance of the patient's concerns so
that he or she feels understood by the physician
C oncerns and fears - Eliciting
the patient's emotions and concerns
T herapeutic alliance/Trust
- A measurable outcome that enhances adherence
to, and engagement in, health care
RESPECT model developed by the Boston University
Residency Training Program in Internal Medicine,
Diversity Curriculum Taskforce
Published in Bigby J.A., ed. Cross-Cultural
Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, American College
of Physicians, 2003, page 20
BELIEF
The BELIEF™ Instrument for Eliciting
Patients' Health Beliefs
B - |
Health BELIEFS
- What do you BELIEVE has caused your problem?
Example Questions:
Do you, or your family, have religious
or spiritual beliefs about your illness?
Did you ever hear or read anything about
your illness?
What folk healers have you consulted about
your illness? Did it help?
What do you believe will happen in the
future with your illness?
Have you used any folk / over-the counter
remedies for your condition |
E - |
EXPLANATION
- WHY do you think your illness/problem
occurred?
Example Questions:
Did you, or anyone else, do anything that
might have caused your problem? |
L - |
LEARN from
the patient - Help me to understand what
you feel/believe about this problem
Example Questions/Invitations
Tell me more about your beliefs
What can I do that will help you best
at this time? |
I - |
IMPACT
- What IMPACT is this illness/problem having
on you?
Example Questions
How is your illness/problem affecting
your daily life?
What are the chief problems your sickness
has caused you?
How are you handling this?
How is your spouse/family handling this
problem? |
E - |
EMPATHY
Example Statements
I'm sorry this happened to you
This must be very difficult for you |
F - |
FEELINGS
Example Questions
What is worrying you most, right now?
What do you fear most about your illness?
How did you hope to be helped today? |
Copyright 2002 by Alison Dobbie, MD and Martha
A. Medrano, MD, MPH, the University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio. All rights
reserved. This work may not be translated or
copied in whole or part, transmitted in any
form or by any means (electronic or mechanical),
including photocopying, recording, storage in
an information retrieval system or otherwise,
without the written permission of the authors.
III. Communication and Language
This section includes tools to be used in aiding
with communication and language issues that
arise when interacting with patients. Several
items relate to interacting with limited English
proficient patients, particularly in using interpreters:
General Guidelines for Effective Use of Interpreters
in a Health Care Settings, Tips for Successful
Interpretation, and the mnemonics, TRANSLATE
and INTERPRET. The last item in this section
describes tools that can be used to measure
the health literacy of patients who may be fluent
in English, but still lack language skills for
full understanding in a health care setting.
A. General Guidelines for Effective Use of
Interpreters in a Health care Setting
Developed by M. Jean Gilbert, Ph.D.
Legal Considerations
When do you need to use an interpreter?
- When your patient is a Limited English
Speaker (LEP) and you don’t speak his/her
language: You can’t understand fully
when they speak to you, and they can’t
understand when you speak to them
- When any part of the patient’s care
is funded by a Federal program (e.g. Medicare,
MediCaid)
- When the quality of care of a patient would
be affected if you didn’t understand
each other
Unless you are thoroughly fluent in the patient's
language, it is strongly recommended that you
work with an interpreter. In this way, you know
that your patient fully understands your diagnosis,
treatment and advice and you know that you understand
the patient's description of his/her illness
clearly. When you have a limited ability to
speak and understand another language, but do
not use the correct forms of verbs or the right
genders and nouns, your information is unintelligible
at worst and confusing at best to your patient.
Whether they understand you or not, patients
may not risk questioning you or asking you to
explain more thoroughly because:
- They do not wish to appear ignorant or
uneducated
- They fear insulting you by seeming to call
into question your expertise
- They may be afraid of losing face by showing
ignorance of medical terminology or unfamiliarity
with the way health care is structured in
the U.S.
Make sure that you are using a competent health
care interpreter. Just because a person is bilingual
doesn’t mean that they have the language
or interpretation skills to accurately interpret
medical information. Research has shown that
untrained interpreters and family or friends
used as interpreters results in about 50 percent
of the messages being miscommunicated and is
a significant source of medical errors. It is
better to use a telephonic interpretation service
that does train and certify the proficiency
of its interpreters than to use a bilingual
medical assistant of whose language skills you
are uncertain. If you use a telephonic interpreter,
it is best to use a speaker phone.
It is required that you note the language and
the type of interpreter services used. This
is easily done by having adhesive labels printed
with space for the interpreter’s name
and the date, then just attaching them to the
record of the patient’s visit. If you
use a telephone interpreter, record the name,
time and date of the telephonic interpretation.
The company who provides the interpretation
also keeps track of this information.
Legally, you must always offer the patient
the use of an interpreter first. If a trained
interpreter is not used, record who you do use
to interpret in the patient’s chart (e.g.
patient’s family member or friend). If
the patient refuses your offer of an interpreter
and insists you use someone they brought with
them, record that also.
Techniques for Effectively Using Interpreters
Read over these proven strategies for efficiently
getting the most out of an interpreted patient
visit. It takes awhile to become truly adept,
but you’ll find that these techniques
really work, and you’ll soon be able to
implement them quickly and automatically.
Have a Quick Pre-Encounter Discussion with
Interpreter
Tell the interpreter what you hope to accomplish,
what the encounter is about. As you and your
interpreters consistently work together and
develop a mutually workable style, this “discussion”
may simply be a sentence or two.
- Ask interpreter if he/she is familiar with
the concepts involved in the visit that is
about to occur
- Agree with interpreter on interpretation
techniques, e.g., how to signal you to pause,
signal that they need to explain something
the patient has said
- When working with non-staff interpreters,
point out importance of accuracy, completeness,
impartiality and confidentiality
- Agree with interpreter on interpretation
techniques, e.g., how to signal you to pause,
signal that they need to explain something
the patient has said
- Encourage interpreters to ask questions
when they are uncertain
- Encourage interpreters to make pertinent
comments when they notice there is a conceptual,
cultural or linguistic misunderstanding. Frequently
either clinician or patient assumes background
information, which is actually lacking
- In many cases, patients will prefer an
interpreter of their same gender, particularly
if a physical examination is to take place
In the Encounter
- Be sure to introduce the interpreter to
the patient. Emphasize that the interpreter
is bound to confidentiality, just as you are
- Place the interpreter slightly to one side
and behind the patient, so that it is easy
to look directly at the patient when the interpreter
is speaking
- Look at patient just as if you were conversing
with an English-speaking person. The interpreter
is only a conduit. Observe non-verbal signs
that will give you an indication of their
emotional effect; this will provide you with
important information as to what your response
to the individual patient should be
- Use the first person when talking to the
patient: “Mr. Quesada, I am wondering
if...” Encourage the interpreter to
use the first person as well instead of “The
doctor says she is wondering if…”
- Express one concept at a time
- Pace your speech so interpreter and patient
can understand and follow
- Make sure the complexity of the language
is not beyond the interpreter's medical knowledge
and familiarity with institutional protocols
and procedures
- When the interpreter finishes explaining
a point to the patient, occasionally ask the
interpreter to tell you in English exactly
what she just told the patient. This "re-telling"
will give you the feedback you need to feel
confident about the quality of the translation
or to identify and catch mistakes
- Give complete information on diagnosis,
tests and treatment. Then ask for feedback
if there is any doubt that the patient understands.
For example, if the question "How do
you feel about that?" elicits a nervous
and bewildered reaction, you will conclude
that the patient doesn't entirely understand
and needs you to elaborate more fully
- Patients of varied ethnic backgrounds will
not follow your orders unless they made to
feel that you really care enough to provide
a full explanation and are therefore trustworthy.
They have a need to clearly understand why
it is in their best interest to comply
- Encourage interpreters to make pertinent
comments when they notice there is a conceptual,
cultural or linguistic misunderstanding
After The Visit
Ask for feedback from the interpreter. If possible
after the interview, speak privately with the
interpreter. Be open to comments. Interpreters
may perceive cultural and emotional subtleties
more clearly than you. Take advantage of their
unique bi-cultural perspective.
Non-verbal Communication in the Interpreted
Encounter
Body language and non-verbal behavior are important
links. They can make an important difference
in those situations where you have no language
and no cultural background in common with your
international patient. Sixty percent of rapport
is the result of non-verbal language. It is
therefore important to be aware of signs, which
may be misunderstood.
For example:
- Eye contact and a calm, intent attitude
will take you a long way with Latin American
patients
- Lack of eye contact while listening by
Asian patients can mean respect and concentration
and not disrespect, as it does in Western
cultures
- When Asian patients are preoccupied, they
may seem tense and concentrated. The impenetrable
features should prompt the clinician to ask
the patient for more detail about their concerns
- When Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
patients repeatedly nod with a subtle nervousness
it sometimes means they are listening intently
but don’t understand
- A warm empathetic smile at the right time
creates a link with Asian as well as Latin
American patients. However, a smile while
a patient is talking or acting out his/her
problem is considered sarcastic by both these
cultures and is often misunderstood
- Warm and polite physical touch is considered
a sign of empathy by most international patients.
However some Muslim and Orthodox Jews do not
want any male/female physical contact, no
matter how friendly
Using the Patient’s Family Members
and Friends as Interpreters
When using family members as interpreters,
proceed cautiously. Family members will often
give incomplete and edited translations of what
you say! Relatives will sometimes substitute
their own opinion rather than tell you the patient's
point of view. It is useful to have your own
interpreter in the room even when the patient
or family insists on providing theirs.
Why would a friend or family member
misinterpret? The reasons can be many:
- Sometimes they are reluctant to ask questions
when they don’t really understand or
are embarrassed. They may lack medical vocabulary
in English or their own language. They may
be too embarrassed to ask for an interpreter
when the conversation gets beyond their linguistic
abilities
- Relatives will sometimes not give the patient
your full and complete explanations. They
may be embarrassed to admit they do not understand,
or embarrassed by the nature of the conversation
- Relatives' emotional involvement often
results in a tendency to protect the patient
from bad news; therefore they edit or change
information. Also, relatives will sometimes
not share with you the full explanation the
patient has told them, again because they
are embarrassed, do not have what they judge
to be the proper vocabulary, or because THEY
make a decision that you don't need to know
"all this extra information."
- Finally, confidentiality is also a problem
when relatives serve as the interpreters.
Often, the patient does not want to disclose
upsetting private information or secret issues
in front of a relative. A relative may convey
information as he/she perceives it and not
as the patient does
Child interpreters pose unique
problems. Several negative consequences have
resulted from the use of children interpreters
and this practice is highly discouraged. The
Office of Civil Rights expressly discourages
the use of minors in health care interpreting.
Why is this?
- Role reversal: Child ends up having to
process information and provide support to
parents
- Editing: Child may present information
to suit his personal view of what is "convenient"
to say to spare parents from suffering. This
will isolate the child and create a burden
for him or her
- Mistakes: There is no guarantee that children
understand the intended message, even when
they say they do. They may "think"
they do
- Guilt: If a child does not convey the information
correctly; If a child feels he/she is the
source of suffering because he/she said something
painful. Children may feel they should carry
the burden alone
Resentment: Parents have shown resentment
of providers because they do not feel they
can express their adult concerns when their
child is interpreting. Parents do not feel
they have the benefit of a one to one relationship
with provider. Confidentiality is at stake.
Parents usually choose to communicate sensitive
information to their children in a particular
way and they resent losing all control in
respect to communication
B. Tips for Successful Interpretations
The following tips were developed by Kaiser
Permanente, National Diversity, National Linguistic
& Cultural Programs to aid health care providers
in utilizing interpreter services.
(Note: Sometimes patients/family may insist
on not using an interpreter for variety of reasons.
If that is the case, it is recommended that
a trained and qualified interpreter is in the
room to ensure that the information is conveyed
accurately and completely. It helps for the
clinician to explain that the interpreter is
there to assist himself/herself in case there
is misunderstanding. Remember, the best person
to interpret is the one who can facilitate understanding
and communication in sensitive situations between
speakers with different languages and/or from
different cultures, while maintaining neutrality
and confidentiality. The clinician is ultimately
responsible for effective communication.)
- Don’t depend on children or other
relatives and friends to interpret
- Ensure that the interpreter is appropriate
for the encounter, e.g., language/dialect,
gender, religion, etc.
- Address yourself to the interviewee, not
the interpreter
- Watch the patient during the interpretation.
Observe the patient’s body language
for cues
- Don’t say anything that you don’t
want the other party to hear
- Speak in a normal voice, clearly, and not
too fast
- Avoid jargon and technical terms
- Keep your statements short, pausing to
permit the interpretation. Ask only one question
at a time
- Permit the interpreter to interrupt when
clarification is necessary
- Be prepared to repeat yourself in different
words if your message is not understood
- Check to see if the message is understood
by having the interpreter ask the patient
to repeat important instructions or directions
- Ask the interpreter to speak to you and
the patient, using the first person pronoun
to refer to the patient
- Instruct the interpreter not to add or
delete anything, especially not to add his/her
own comments or offer advice, or suggest questions
or answers to your questions
Tips To Share with Untrained Interpreters
From the Provider:
- Please let me know if you are familiar
with this patient so that the patient’s
confidentiality would not be breached if you
provided interpreting services
- Advise me if there are diversity and/or
cultural reasons that would make it inappropriate
for you to serve as an interpreter, such as,
language, age, gender, and religious beliefs
- Please interpret accurately and convey
the meaning of what I say and what the patient
says. Do not paraphrase or rephrase the patient’s
or my words
- I will be facing the patient. Please sit
or stand next to the patient. When the patient
enters the room, I will introduce myself directly
to the patient and wait for you to interpret,
then I will introduce you
- I will speak in short units and ask short
questions. Please let me know if I need to
slow down or rephrase something in easier-to-understand
terms. If you need to ask the patient to clarify,
be sure to inform me that you are getting
more clarification. Avoid answering for the
patient
- At the end of the interview I will ask
the patient to repeat the instructions to
confirm that they have been understood.
© Copyright 2001 Kaiser Foundation
Health Plan, Inc.
Created by National Diversity, National Linguistic
& Cultural Programs
C. Useful Mnemonics for Working with
Interpreters
TRANSLATE
T: TRUST How will trust be
developed in the patient-clinician-interpreter
triadic relationship? In relationships with
the patient's family and other health care professionals?
R: ROLES What role(s) will
the interpreter play in the clinical care process
(e.g., language translator, culture broker/informant,
culture broker/interpreter of biomedical culture,
advocate)?
A: ADVOCACY How will advocacy
and support for patient- and family-centered
care occur? How will power and loyalty issues
be handled?
N: NON-JUDGMENTAL How can
a non-judgmental attitude be maintained during
health care
ATTITUDE encounters? How will
personal, beliefs, values, opinions, biases,
and stereotypes be dealt with?
S: SETTING Where and how will
medical interpretation occur during health care
encounters (e.g., use of salaried interpreters,
contract interpreters, volunteers, AT&T
Language Line)?
L: LANGUAGE What methods of
communication will be employed? How will linguistic
appropriateness and competence be assessed?
A: ACCURACY How will knowledge
and information be exchanged in an accurate,
thorough, and complete manner during health
care encounters?
T: TIME How will time be appropriately
managed during health care encounters?
E: ETHICAL ISSUES How will
potential ethical conflicts be handled during
health care encounters? How will confidentiality
of clinical information be maintained?
Like RC. TRANSLATE: A mnemonic for working with
medical interpreters. In "Appendix: Useful
clinical interviewing mnemonics," Patient
Care 2000; 34(9):188
[Adapted from and based on the work of
Kaufert J.M. and Putsch R.W. (1997). Communication
through Interpreters in Health care: Ethical
Dilemmas Arising from Differences in Class,
Culture, Language, and Power, The Journal of
Clinical Ethics, 8(1):71-87]
INTERPRETâ„¢ Module Observation Form
Student Name:
Date:
Language interpreted:
Use
this form to observe record and reflect upon
clinicians’ behavior in an interpreted interview.
First, with permission, observe and assess an
interpreted interview conducted by a resident
or Attending. Briefly discuss your observations
with them. Second, conduct a bilingual interview
yourself and self-rate your own performance.
Who
conducted the interview? |
(check (v ) one) |
Who interpreted? |
(check (v ) one) |
PG1 |
|
Professional |
|
PG2 |
|
Staff member |
|
PG3 |
|
Family member |
|
MS3 |
|
Patient’s companion, not family |
|
Attending |
|
Other |
|
Physician’s
use of INTERPRETâ„¢ Module
(check (v ) one) |
YES |
NO |
Some what |
N/A |
Example of Observed Behavior |
I: |
Introduction;
introduces and identifies all participants. |
|
|
|
|
|
N: |
Negotiation;
Negotiates clear role for interpreter, especially
if staff member, family member or other
lay person. Agrees mode of interpretation
(simultaneous vs. interval) if professional
interpreter. Clarifies if interpreter will
also act as ‘culture broker’. |
|
|
|
|
|
T: |
Trust;
Establishes atmosphere of mutual trust,
e.g. attempts to greet patient in his/her
own language |
|
|
|
|
|
E: |
Engagement;
Speaks directly to patient. Uses short,
simple sentences. Allows time for patient
to speak and interpreter to interpret before
proceeding |
|
|
|
|
|
R: |
Room
Set-up; Places interpreter’s chair slightly
behind patient. Sits directly facing patient. |
|
|
|
|
|
P: |
Patient-centered;
Makes an effort to ensure the history is
complete and accurate. Takes action to establish
and address patient’s agenda. Ensures patient
agrees to and understands treatment plan
and follow up. Asks if patient has any questions
or concerns. |
|
|
|
|
|
R: |
Respect
of Cultural Beliefs; Elicits and acknowledges
patient’s cultural beliefs without necessarily
agreeing with them. |
|
|
|
|
|
E: |
Ethical
Considerations; Addresses ethical issues
e.g. confidentiality, gender issues, use
of children as interpreters |
|
|
|
|
|
T: |
Time
Management; Manages the interview in a time
efficient manner without rushing the patient. |
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright 2002 by Martha A. Medrano, MD, MPH,
and Alison Dobbie, MD, the University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio. All rights
reserved. This work may not be translated or
copied in whole or part, transmitted in any
form or by any means (electronic or mechanical),
including photocopying, recording, storage in
an information retrieval system or otherwise,
without the written permission of the authors.
D. Tools for Measuring Health Literacy
in Patients
The following three tools can be used by health
care professionals to identify patients with
limited or low health literacy skills.
Ask Me 3
Ask Me 3 is a solution-based initiative developed
by the Partnership for Clear Health Communication
to quickly and effectively improve health communication
between patients and providers.
Through patient and provider education materials
developed by leading health literacy experts,
Ask Me 3 promotes three simple but essential
questions that patients should ask their providers
in every health care interaction. The program
encourages providers to help their patients
understand the answers to the following questions:
- What is my main problem?
- What do I need to do?
- Why is it important for me to do this?
For more information or to download free materials
online, please visit www.askme3.org.
Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in
Medicine (REALM)
The Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine
(REALM) is a screening instrument used to determine
a patient's literacy, or ability to read and
pronounce common medical terminology and lay
terms for body parts and illnesses. It does
not measure understanding. It is meant to help
medical professionals determine a patient's
literacy so that the appropriate educational
materials and instructions may be used. The
REALM was specifically designed to identify
patients who read at levels below ninth grade.
The REALM was developed by researchers at the
Department of Family Medicine and Comprehensive
Care at the Louisiana State University Medical
Center. To receive a sample kit (instruction
manual, laminated patient word lists, scoring
sheets), write to: Terry C. David, Ph.D., LSU
Medical Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport,
LA 71130-3932. Please contact the developer
at tdavis2@lsuhsc.edu for updated price.
Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults
(TOFHLA)
The Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults
(TOFHLA) is used to measure functional health
literacy—both numeracy and reading comprehension—using
actual health-related materials such as prescription
bottle labels and appointment slips. It is designed
to assess adult literacy in the health care
setting:
- By health care providers, to determine
the adequacy of their patients' reading and
understanding of health care materials needed
for their health care or health education
- By researchers, to assess patient health
literacy as a variable in their research
TOFHLA was developed at Georgia State University
under a grant to Emory University from the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation and was first published
in 1995.
A TOFHLA package includes:
- Full versions in English and Spanish, in
regular (12 pt.) and large font (14 pt)
- A short version in English and Spanish
in large font (14 pt)
- Directions for administration and scoring
and the technical manual for each
- A bibliography of published articles concerning
the development and validation of the instrument
and research studies for using it
For sample pages of the package and/or to purchase
the package, please visit www.peppercornbooks.com.
IV. Culturally Sensitive Patient Assessment
and Treatment
This section includes tools that can be used
for culturally sensitive patient assessment
and treatment that can be used to measure student
proficiency as well as in clinical settings.
They include: Harvard Medical School Objective
Structure Clinical Examination (HMS OSCE), the
Guide to Clinical and Public Health Practices,
and the Patient/Family/Community Assessment
Form.
A. Harvard Medical School Objective Structured
Clinical Examinations (HMS OSCE): Cultural Competency/Oral
Presentation Station
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
is a multi-stationed clinical examination using
standardized/simulated patients in a focused
history and physical clinical task exercise
within a limited time period. The following
are sample instructions and evaluation forms
for the "Cultural Competency/Oral Presentation
Station."
Cultural Competency/Oral Presentation
Station
[Authors: Margaret M. Hinrichs, M.Ed.,
Program Coordinator, Program in Medical Education,
Office of Educational Development, Harvard Medical
School; David A. Hirsh, M.D., Instructor in
Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cambridge
Hospital, Cambridge, M.A.; Developed by Janet
Palmer Hafler, Ed.D., Director Faculty Development,
Harvard Medical School. Please contact Dr. Hafler
at Janet_Hafler@hms.harvard.edu to obtain permission
to use.]
Goals: The goals of the station are
to allow participants:
- to become familiar with the process of
developing a cross-cultural OSCE ; and
- to begin thinking about one they may initiate
at their home institutions.
Activities: The activities at this station
will include:
- Overview of the process
- Observation and evaluation of an HMS student
participating in the OSCE
- Discussion of the interaction, history
checklist and exploration of main challenges
in case development
Student Learning Objectives:
• To be able to elicit complete and concise
history in a patient presenting for a blood
pressure check
• Identify a non-adherence as a central
problem which can affect clinical outcomes
• Demonstrate a framework for approaching
non-adherence with a particular focus on key
cross-cultural issues
• To be able to present orally effectively
• To communicate effectively with the
patient
References:
Betancourt, J.R., Carrillo, J.E., and Green,
A.R. (1999) Hypertension in Multicultural and
Minority Populations: Linking Communicating
to Compliance. Current Hypertension Reports,
1: 482-488
Carrillo, J.E., Green, A.R., and Betancourt,
J.R. (1999) Cross-Cultural Primary Care: A Patient-Based
Approach. Annals of Internal Medicine, 130:
829-834
Student Instructions:
Setting: you are a second year student working
in a primary care clinic with your preceptor.
Patient is a 58-year-old woman who comes into
her primary care clinic for a routine follow-up.
You learn from a quick review of the record
that the patient’s blood pressure has
been difficult to control despite multiple medications.
She’s had a full medical work-up for secondary
causes of hypertension and all tests were completely
negative. Today she presents without major complaints,
and has a blood pressure of 54/96 on right and
150/94 on left with a heart rate of 84.
You will:
- Take a concise but relevant history of
all the details important to understanding
why the patient’s blood pressure is
not controlled (8 minutes)
- Prepare oral presentation (2 minutes)
- Perform an oral presentation based on your
findings from the history (4 minutes). The
presentation is as if you were informing your
preceptor of a patient you just saw in the
clinic
- Answer the question on the case (1 minute)
- Receive feedback (5 minutes)
© 2004 President and Fellows of Harvard
College. All Rights Reserved.
HISTORY CHECKLIST (DO
THIS WHILE STUDENT IS TAKING HISTORY)
|
HPI: |
Did |
Did
Not |
|
|
|
|
* |
Timing – difficult to control blood
pressure for 5 years |
o |
o |
|
Several medications failed to control
the pressure |
o |
o |
|
Asks about salt restriction |
o |
o |
* |
Has anxiety related to family issues |
o |
o |
* |
Takes HTN meds irregularly |
o |
o |
* |
Probes more deeply to understand pattern
of medication use (uses as needed for anxiety)
Explanatory model (what the patient thinks
is causing the problem) |
o |
o |
|
|
|
|
|
Pertinent Negatives |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No headache |
o |
o |
|
No dizziness or lightheadedness (check
the box for EITHER)No chest pain |
o |
o |
|
No vision changes |
o |
o |
|
|
o |
o |
|
Medicines |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Names unknown |
o |
o |
* |
Uses herbs from botanica |
o |
o |
|
|
|
|
|
Social History |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
From Dominican Republic
and native Spanish speaker (credit for
either)Lives alone since death of husband
|
o |
o |
* |
Doesn’t read
|
o |
o |
|
Doesn’t smoke |
o |
o |
|
Doesn’t use ETOH |
o |
o |
|
Asked about affordability of medications |
o |
o |
After 8 minutes or when
student completes history, show the student
handout #1, in the 3 ring binder.
After the student prepares Oral Presentation
for 2 minutes, tell them it’s time to
present.
© 2004 President and Fellows of Harvard
College. All Rights Reserved.
HMS PDII OSCE Communication Skills Checklist
– For Standardized Patient - CULTURAL
COMPETENCY
A. Build
a Relationship (includes the following):
• Greets and shows interest in patient
as a person • Uses words that
show care and concern • Uses
tone, pace, eye contact, and posture that
show care and concern •
Build a Relationship: |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
B. Open the Discussion
(includes the following): •
Allows patient to complete opening statement
without interruption • Asks “is
there anything else” to elicit full
set of symptoms and concerns •
Open the Discussion:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
C. Gather Information
(includes the following): •
Begins with open ended questions (“tell
me about…”) • Clarifies
details as necessary with more specific
or “yes/no” questions •
Summarizes and gives patient opportunity
to confirm information • Transitions
effectively between questions/topics
• Uses words that are easy for patient
to understand • Gather
Information:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
D. Understand the
Patient’s Perspective (includes the
following): • Elicits
patient’s beliefs (explanatory model),
concerns, and expectations about hypertension
(that is caused by stress and medications
are to be taken “as needed”
• Responds explicitly to patient’s
ideas and feelings about stress and hypertension
in an understanding and empathic way while
explaining need for patient to take medication
daily. • Understand the
Patient’s Perspective:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
D1. Explore other
potential reasons for patient’s poorly
controlled blood pressure (includes
the following:) • Asks respectfully
about difficulty affording the medications
• Asks respectfully about difficulty
reading and understanding the instructions
for taking the medications • Asks
respectfully about use of other treatments
for blood pressure besides medicines (herbals
remedies from botanica) •
Explore other potential reasons for patient’s
poorly controlled blood pressure
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
E. Share Information
(includes the following) •
Explains using words that are easy for patient
to understand • Checks for mutual
understanding • Share
Information:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
F. Provide Closure
(includes the following): •
Ask if patient has questions or concerns
• Avoids premature advice •
Acknowledges patient and transitions to
next task • Provide Closure:
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very
Good |
Excellent |
|
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
o |
|
© 2004 President and Fellows of Harvard
College. All Rights Reserved.
B. A Guide to Clinical and Public Health
Practices1-3
SUBJECTIVE
Qualitative data
Profile of symptoms
Explanation of problem(s)
Perception of resources
OBJECTIVE
Direct & Indirect
Observations
Quantitative Data
ASSESSMENT
The Diagnostic Process
PROGNOSIS
Knowledge of the natural history
PLAN
Disease Prevention
Health Promotion
Treatment
Rehabilitation
Supportive Care
|
INDIVIDUAL
The medical history
Interviewing
Patient symptoms
Patient's explanation(s) of problem(s)
Patient's perception of
Personal resources
Physical exam findings (signs)
Results of laboratory tests, imaging
studies, and other ancillary investigations
Individual problem and
resource list
- of individuals in health and disease
("individual life cycle")
Advice
Patient Education
Medication
Counseling
|
FAMILY The
medical history
Family genogram
Family interview
Family symptoms
Family's explanation(s) of
problem(s)
Family's perception of family
resources
Family observations
Home visits
Household assessment
Tests for familial diseases
(hereditary)
Family demographics and
epidemiological data list
Family problems and resource list
- of families that are
functional or dysfunctional
("family life cycle")
Advice
Family Education
Family Counseling
Family Therapy |
INSTITUTION
The institutional history
Institutional charts
Interviews with management/
staff
Institutional symptoms
Institution's explanation(s)
of problem(s)
Institution's perception of
institutional resources
Institutional observations
and assessment of...
- human resources
- financial resources
- capital resources
- building and space
Site visits
Institutional documents,
reports, files, and records
Administrative data sets
Institutional problem and
resource list
- of institutions that are
thriving or failing
("institutional life cycle")
Advice
Institutional Education
Innovations and Change Strategies
Total Quality Management
|
COMMUNITY
Written and oral history of
community
Interviews with citizens
Community symptoms
Community's explanation(s) of problem(s)
Community's perception of
community resources
Community's observations of...
- geology and geography
- natural and man-made
resources, barriers, and
hazards
- institutional resources
Findings from...
- photographs and maps
- demographic, epidemiologic,
economic, and sociologic
data sets
Community problem and
resource list
- of communities and cultures
in adaptive or maladaptive
states
("community life cycle")
Advice
Community Education
Community-Based Programs
and Social Services
Jobs
Advocacy
|
1 Adapted and expanded from Mettee TM. Community
Diagnosis - A Concept for Family Practitioners.
Paper presented at Plenary Session of North
American Primary Care Research Group Meeting
(NAPCRG), Lake Tahoe NV, March, 1981
2 Mettee TM. Community Diagnosis: A Tool for
COPC. In PA Nutting (ed.), Community-Oriented
Primary Care: From Principle to Practice. (DHHS
Publication No. HRS-A-PE-86-1). Washington DC:
U.S. Government Printing Office, 1987.
3Like RC, Breckenridge MB, Swee DE, Lieberman
JA III. Family Health Science and the New Generalist
Practitioner. Family Systems Medicine 1993;
11:149-161.
C. Patient/Family/Community Assessment
Form
Patient Name: ________________________________
Date: ___________________________
|
Brief Patient Profile:
Age Gender Race/Ethnicity Language Need
for Interpreter (Y/N) Insurance (Y/N) Religion
Educational Level
|
Primary Clinical Issue Addressed: |
Family Profile
Household Structure (who lives there and
relationships)
Language(s) spoken, understood/Literacy
issues:
Financial Situation of Household:
Family Problems (e.g., domestic violence,
alcohol or drug problem, marital discord,
illness):
Family Supports (how does family help
with clinical problem addressed):
|
Cultural
Profile
Diet (24 hour diet recall):
Religious Beliefs (and degree of importance
in life):
“My health is controlled by”
ME -----------------------------------------------------------------------------GOD
Patient’s explanation of primary
clinical issue addressed:
Use of alternative treatments and healers:
|
Community
Profile
Workplace Issues (possible exposures, muscle
strain, injury risk):
Neighborhood Description:
What does patient like about neighborhood?
What would patient like to change about
neighborhood?
Accessibility to Health care (primary
care, dental, vision)(consider transportation,
language, availability of appointments,
insurance):
Accessibility of Other Services (grocery,
pharmacy, medical supplies):
|
Additional in-depth questions:
1. Identify a problem that this patient faces
that is common to other people in the community.
2. Does [clinical care facility] address this
problem on a community level? How?
3. What do other health centers or private physicians
do to address this issue? Consider contacting
other physicians to find out.
4. What other resources/services already exist
in the community to address this issue? Contact
or visit 2 or 3 of these resources to learn
more about them.
5. What other health/social service professionals
or “lay health/para-professional/other
healers” besides physicians can be helpful
with this issue?
6. What creative ideas do you have for addressing
this issue on a community level? Consider performing
a literature search. Consider using this issue
as a starting point for your senior project.
@ 2001 Developed by Steven Levin,
MD, Jan Gottlieb, MPH, Center for Healthy Families
and Cultural Diversity, Department of Family
Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry
of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical
School (RWJMS), New Brunswick. Please do not
reprint or disseminate without authors’
permission. Contact the Center at (732) 235-7662.
V. Developing Culturally and Linguistically
Appropriate Skills
This section describes a framework that one
can consider when designing cultural and linguistic
competence curriculum/training sessions. This
framework is based on the notion that developing
cultural and linguistic competence is a journey;
as we practice more of what we have learned,
we will become more fluent in understanding
the different cultures and more fluid in our
cross-cultural or intercultural interactions.
Cultural fluency is the degree
to which we are able to manage a cross-cultural
encounter with ease and fluidity. The level
of fluency is dependent on one’s experience,
knowledge and skills. Most importantly, and
ultimately, it is dependent on our attitude.
Our attitude can propel or impede us in achieving
the highest levels of cultural fluency. Finally,
our desire and ability to apply culturally and
linguistically appropriate strategies can be
supported by a culturally and linguistically
competent system of care, or hindered by its
absence.
(G. Tang, 1997)
A culturally and linguistically system of care
should take into account systems, technology,
environment, people, and safety – STEPS
model (G. Tang, 2001).
Systems: Design systems to ensure an integrative
care process mindful of the patient’s
care experience.
Technology: Leverage
technologies that facilitate organizational
knowledge of patient’s cultural needs
and communication requirements.
Environment: Create
an environment that is safe and welcoming, allowing
ease of navigation through the facilities, and
is reflective of diversity.
People: Employ people
who are skilled and knowledgeable to provide
high quality care and services that are respectful
to the diverse communities.
Safety: Employ continuous
quality improvement and total quality management
processes to ensure patient’s safety.
Cultural Fluency Crosswalk
A 5 x 6 matrix, designed to enhance levels
of cultural fluency using Dr. Josepha Campinha-Bacote’s
ASKED Model (described more fully in Chapter
4) and creating a Cultural Fluency Crosswalk
(CFC) illustrating how attitudes, skills, knowledge,
encounter, and desire relate to oneself, one’s
patient, their families, one’s work teams,
one’s organizations and the community
at large. By applying various cultural fluency
tools, such as videos, activities and/or workshops,
learning outcomes and performance expectations
can be plotted within the CFC dimensions creating
a logic model to curriculum design.
Application Example
Use the following Cultural Fluency Tools*:
Videos - “Lost in Interpretation,”
Kaiser Permanente
Tips on Using Untrained Interpreters (Included
in Appendix A)
Brain Teaser – pre-assessment of knowledge
and attitude (10 questions or more on acculturation,
language acquisition, legal and regulatory requirements).
* For more information on these specific
tools, contact Gayle Tang, MSN, RN, Director
of Kaiser Permanente’s National Linguistic
& Cultural Programs, at Gayle.Tang@kp.org.
Desired Outcomes:
At the end of this session/module, students
will be able to:
1. Gain appreciation of the challenges faced
by English speakers in seeking health care in
a non-English environment
2. Identify the impact on patient’s comfort
and trust in the health care system
3. Identify the impact on quality health outcomes
4. Identify the institutional barriers to language
access
5. Identify 3-5 strategies to eliminate the
access and communication barriers
The following matrix shows how the Cultural
Fluency Crosswalk can be used to map out the
concepts illustrated in the tools used above.
Cultural
Fluency
Crosswalk |
Attitudes
|
Skills
Demonstrate how to…
|
Knowledge
Gain knowledge of…
|
Encounter
|
Desire
(Strategies & Application)
|
Self
|
- See self in the shoes of the LEP/NEP
patient
- Recognize personal views on people who
are LEP |
- Anticipate cultural &
linguistic demands
- Use appropriate resources |
- Impacts on quality and cost
- Impacts on personal and professional satisfaction
|
English speaker navigating in a non-English
speaking health care environment |
What can I do to ensure my understanding
of the patient? |
Patient |
- Patient’s experience with the
health care system
-Patient’s experience with the health
professionals |
- Use trained & untrained
interpreters
- Conduct a cultural assessment, e.g., Kleinman’s
model |
- Quality health outcomes and patient
safety issues
- Potential for medication errors
|
Vignettes showing frustrating clinical
encounters |
What would good care look like for the
patient? |
Families |
- Understand family structure
- Patient’s role within the family |
- Elicit family history
- Identify roles & position in the family
and the “sick role”
|
- Potential impacts on family
- Values, beliefs and traditions |
Imagine:
Family member is interpreting for patient
|
Is there a role for the family? |
Teams |
- Make no assumptions
- Colleagues’ time may be limited |
- Seek help from appropriate
team member |
- The importance of team competency |
Vignettes showing frustrating clinical
encounters |
How do we know if our colleagues are C
& L competent for the job?
|
Community |
- Understand the importance of community |
- Leverage community resources
|
- Availability of community resources |
Imagine:
Patient’s support system is the church |
Is there a role for the community?
|
Organization |
- Leadership support
- Accountabilities
- Work force diversity
- Rewards & recognition |
- Identify existing policy
& procedures
- Influence organizational change |
- Systems barriers to linguistic access
- Legal & regulatory requirements |
English speaker navigating in a non-English
speaking health care environment |
What is the role of the organization in
ensuring access to LEP population?
|
Following is an additional example of the matrix
that has been expanded and adapted to integrate
information outlined in Like et al., 1993.
Cultural
Fluency
Crosswalk |
Attitudes
|
Skills
Demonstrate how to…
|
Knowledge
Gain knowledge of…
|
Encounter
|
Desire
(Strategies & Application)
|
Self
|
- See self in the shoes of
the LEP/NEP patient
- Attitudes toward oneself; self-esteem
related to cultural or language issues;
early or other experiences |
- Anticipate cultural and
linguistic demands
- Use appropriate resources |
- Impact on quality and cost
- Impact on personal and professional satisfaction
- Self-knowledge/ “cultural mindfulness”
|
- English speaker navigating
in a non-English speaking health care environment
.
|
- What can I do to ensure
my understanding of the patient? What can
I do to ensure my understanding of myself?
|
Patient |
- Attitudes toward working
with culturally and linguistically diverse
patients; individuals with LEP
- Addressing ethnocentrism, racism, xenophobia,
other “isms.” |
- Use trained and untrained
interpreters
- Conduct a cultural assessment, e.g. Kleinman's
model
- Gain skills in triadic relationship (e.g.,
working with trained professional interpreters,
community language banks, telephonic interpreters,
family members when required) |
- Quality health outcomes
and patient safety issue
- Potential for medication errors
- Published literature on cultural and linguistic
issues in patient care (generic and for
selected health and illness conditions) |
- Vignettes showing frustrating
clinical encounters
- Vignettes showing “successful”
clinical encounters |
- What would good care look
like for the patient?
- Why is culturally and linguistically appropriate
patient-centered clinical care important? |
Families |
- Understanding one’s
own family of origin and related cultural
and language dynamics |
- Elicit family information and construct
a genogram (including information on patients’
clinical conditions, cultural and language
issues, literacy). |
- Potential impact on family
- Different types of families (e.g., nuclear,
single parent, step-families, blended families,
multicultural/
multigenerational families, gay and lesbian
families), family life cycle, family dynamics,
family functioning
.- Genetics issues
- Family acculturation/ adaptation issues
- HIPAA requirements, confidentiality and
privacy issues |
- Convening family meetings
and working with the family
Primary care family counseling and education
Collaborating with family therapists and
social workers |
- Is there a role for the family?
- Why is working with families important?
- Why is culturally and linguistically appropriate
family-focused care important? |
Teams |
- No assumptions
- Colleagues’ time may be limited
- Attitudes toward working on a culturally
diverse team |
- Seek help from appropriate
team member
- Skills needed to work in culturally diverse
interdisciplinary health care teams
- Skills in working with different types
of interpreters on teams
- Working with quality improvement teams
- Working with disease management teams |
- The importance of team
competency
- Knowledge about similarities and differences
both within and across different professional
cultures (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry,
nutrition, social services, mental health,
etc); various clinical practice styles;
age, gender and ethnic cultural differences |
- Vignettes showing frustrating
clinical encounters
- Vignettes showing “successful”
interdisciplinary team encounters |
- How do we know if our colleagues
are linguistically competent to do the job?
- Why is culturally and linguistically appropriate
interdisciplinary team care important? |
Organization |
- Attitudes toward working
in a culturally diverse organization |
- Skills in carrying out
an “organizational cultural competence
assessment” focusing on linguistic
issues.
- Accessing cultural and linguistic resources
in organizations. |
- Recognize systems barriers
to linguistic access
- Understand legal and regulatory requirements |
- English speaker navigating
in a non-English speaking health care environment
“Organizational immersion experiences”
focusing on cultural and language issues |
- What is the role of the
organization in ensuring access to LEP population?
- Why do health care organizations need
to provide more culturally and linguistically
appropriate services? |
Community |
- Attitudes relating
to working with diverse communities
|
- Skills in working with
community language banks and other community
organizations and advocacy groups; dealing
with stable multicultural diversity, rapidly
changing communities, community crises/emergencies
- Developing health promotion/disease
prevention programs for diverse communities
|
- Knowledge about demographics
and diversity of communities being served,
different languages, ethnic/socio-cultural
groups; health and health care disparities,
indigenous healers, community language banks,
community assets and resources, etc. |
- “Community immersion
experiences” focusing on cultural
and language issues
|
- Is there a role for
the community?
- Why is culturally and linguistically
appropriate community-oriented care important?
|
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