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Evidence reveal the fact that in the discipline of social sciences, culture profoundly impacts on the values, logic and behavior of every individual. Culture can be divided into subcultures. In respect to Australia, most of the citizens receive full health advantage including the backward class people. They receive medical treatments without incurring financial costs. However, in certain cases, it has been observed that if a person is not confident about the care, they might be less likely to access the treatment. The health care system is designed in such a way that it influences people to respond to their services. Due to the existence of a cross-cultural environment in the health care system, we will address the issues related to health literacy among the patients and also consider the cultural competence to work in a culturally diverse environment. This report focuses on the analysis of certain media articles related to the above two issues and will thereby highlight the contemporary issues based on the cultural safety in the health sector.
According to the UT News mental health is a big issue that needs to be addressed in order to develop awareness among the minor communities. It is a belief of the medical professionals that the African Americans are more violent than the White patients with mental disability. The study has been replicated several times, and the explanation given was that the African American was better supervised, and they were given heavier doses. After decades the findings reveal the same result and belief. A parallel narrative is that an individual with mental illness is many times recognized as violent and dangerous.
Although evidence reflects the fact that mental health patients are less violent than the general population when the substance is controlled and treated effectively, the belief still exists. It has been observed that the African Americans are at several risks. Firstly, treatment is mostly unavailable. Secondly, elevation in the consumption of substance abuse and lack of mental health treatment increases the chances of violence. This leads to the development of perceptions which victimizes the African American. In order to establish a cultural safety environment related to health, it is very important for the medical professionals and students to receive cultural competence and work on their health literacy. They should have an effective communication skill that can help them to recognize encounter the patient with a positive attitude and effective medical intervention considering the cultural diversity in the health care system ("We Need to Emphasize Mental Health Awareness in Minorities", 2016).
According to Ludmilla Wikkeling Scott "training based on health, literacy is the best prescription for every individual." This article was published in “The National” on Saturday 13th August 2016. Although health literacy has become an integral part of the public health circle over few decades, yet the there is a high rate of chronic disease seen among the UAE citizens. The over the use of health resources has been the major reason for the health concern. It has been reported that too many health care professionals are often found in the emergency room for non-emergency clinical issues. Thus, the patient receives more than one diagnosis leading to health deterioration. Cultural differences can immensely influence the treatment and patient care due to miscommunication between the healthcare professional and the patient. Limited trust thereby, causes challenge. Inefficient or improper communication between professionals can exert challenge. Thus effective communication can bring about improvement in the health issues ("Health literacy training is the best prescription for everyone | The National", 2016).
As reported by Jay Wrolstad published in the “Phys Org” on 18th August, study distinguish elements of successful diversity training. Diversity training has a lasting impact on the trainee’s knowledge about the issues related to cultural diversity like awareness of the cultural viewpoints. In this relation, health requires of ethnic minorities and stereotypes. Mandatory training on skill development is essential. Evidence reveal the fact that diversity fact was useful when such training was integrated into a comprehensive, diversified curriculum.
Diversity training can act as an effective tool and provide information and bestow knowledge in order to help the employees to understand the result also in social issues. It can also aid in the development of the health literacy and effective communication needed in the day to day life with those of diverse races religions and ethnic community ("Study discerns elements of successful diversity training", 2016).
Probono Australia
As published by journalist Ellie Cooper in Probono Australia on 10 th August, the article highlights the health care inequality in the public system and the approach taken by the medical practitioners to serve marginalized communities. With the diverse variety of culture prevalent in Australia, many communities have been neglected by health care services and it has lead to inequity in health care system. A Brisbane-based social enterprise, the World Wellness Group, was established by five medical practitioners in 2011 to address issues related health inequality faced by migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Culturally diverse people mainly had a problem in accessing affordable health services, and there was also a gap in the considering the cultural aspects of individual while providing care to patients. The founders of World Wellness Group explained that their plan would be sustainable as it is independent of any government grants. The Brisbane Multicultural Centre also helped them in this initiative by renting free space to treat patients. Accessibility to health care system was also difficult because of language and cultural barriers. Along with providing primary health care, the Wellness Group has also helped marginalized community by fostering social cohesion. Interaction with this group of people aided them in managing in their anxieties. Conventional health care system does not use interpreters and health staff take the time to work with culturally diverse people. At World Wellness Group they take the time to work with interpreters and provide training in cultural competency to health care staff. They are committed to a holistic model of attention ("Equal Healthcare Through Innovation - Pro Bono Australia", 2016).
The Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper reports on 1st August 2016 what Medicare should be in the 21st century. In the presence of culturally diverse patients, patient-centered care and patient autonomy over tailor made care is required. This vision was decided for revolutionizing Medicare system. It proposed that patients will be given online access to their own health record details including physical examination and doctors appointment. The federal government health care agenda is to revolutionize health care system to suit the needs of modern times. To provide holistic care to the culturally diverse group, they proposed changing the current outdated system and redesigning infrastructure and models of delivery according to the needs of the patients. In order to overcome the challenges in engaging in clinically reflective practice and crossing intercultural boundaries, working outside one's comfort zone is essential. The plan was to shift the trend present in health care system and make the patient an active part of medical decision instead of just being a passive receiver of care. The traditional health system did little to overcome the realities present in health care delivery, and this plan would help in confronting challenges and managing health care with information technology. This Government utilized ‘Health Care Home' model of care to do health planning and treatment according to patients preference. The major cultural shift and transformational change in health system relied on Medicare’s principle of universal coverage and simplicity (Aubusson, 2016).
A psychiatrist Yasir Abbasi reports in The Guardian how he has seen different culture has differences of opinion about mental illness. This view affects their method of accessing health service and adhering to treatment for ailments. Understanding cultural background of patients will be important for health staff in order to provide culturally competent care. When health care is culturally appropriate, it will promote safety of patients and speedy recovery from illness (Brown et al., 2016). The psychiatrist reports one encounter with patients who assumed that she is already dead and was looking for her graves everywhere. After a complete assessment, she was diagnosed with Cotard syndrome, a mental illness associated with delusional beliefs. The family of the patient thought she was possessed by a jinn (view of muslim culture), and their family wanted to take her to a spiritual healer instead of a physician. The psychiatrist tried his best to explain them the immediate need of medical intervention for patients and also sought to listen to their cultural views on mental illness. In many cultures mental illness is a taboo, so they see it more as spiritual problem rather than a mental problem. The psychiatrist finally negotiated with the patient's family members by continuing treatment in hospitals and placing amulets in the room. This served dual purpose-neither the patient's cultural aspects was compromised, nor health care delivery was delayed. The outcome was that the girl recovered well and was discharged after recovery. This experience by the doctors helped in understanding how culturally appropriate care can be provided in a health care setting. Informed decision will be possible by if patients ask for a second opinion if they are not sure about any treatment procedure. It helps in addressing the fear of being left without care. ("As a psychiatrist, I've seen how culture affects views of mental illness", 2016).
An article on health and wellness reveals what kinds of challenges indigenous population can face while seeking help. Many patients are reluctant to enquire about any medical advice or treatment that they will undergo. There are several patients who are afraid to speak up even when they do not agree with physician's treatment recommendation. This is a hazardous reality about indigenous health. But today's health care system respect patient decision and it is very important for patients to know about their treatment and its associated side effects and risks. There needs to be the balance between patient values and health care needs. Physicians must ensure that patients have access to all the health information in their preferred language so that they can clarify any point and shared decision making takes place. Shared decision making process is an approach to culturally safe care for indigenous people. Significant imbalance exists in the relations between patients and health care providers. Shared decision making helps in minimizing this gap and delivering high standard care to patients. Patients should never be rushed into a decision, and they should be given appropriate time to decide what treatment procedures will be good for them. If health staff do not have have knowledge of language, an indigenous patient navigator should be in place to know about their specific health issues ("Doctors' Notes: Take control of your own healthcare | Toronto Star", 2016).
The collection and analysis of different media materials on current culture issues in health care highlighted the common problems that act as the barrier to the delivery of appropriate care. The gap in care occurs because of great diversity in culture of patients. Patients coming from different cultural background have their own view on health care service. Some do not consider it to be important and seek other forms of intervention to cure illness. This report focuses on the importance of health literacy and cultural competency to deliver patient-centered care. Physicians and nurses must be trained to enhance their cultural skills and develop cultural considerations of different population groups. Providing culturally competent care promotes relation building with patients and also leads to more better outcomes. Sharing health information and treatment procedure to patients make them understand why certain intervention is essential for them. It promotes acceptance of health care serviced and improves health outcome in patients. Future health care system should focus more on developing cultural skills of health care staff and minimizing barriers to care of the indigenous population. It will help in miniming gap in health care delivery and increase trust of patients on health care service.
As a psychiatrist I've seen how culture affects views of mental illness. (2016). the Guardian. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/views-from-the-nhs-frontline/2016/aug/08/psychiatrist-seen-culture-affects-views-mental-illness
Aubusson, K. (2016). The radical plan to overhaul Medicare. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/what-medicare-should-be-in-the-21st-century-a-radical-blueprint-for-the-federal-governments-health-care-homes-scheme-20160729-gqgdcd.html
Brown, E. A., Bekker, H. L., Davison, S. N., Koffman, J., & Schell, J. O. (2016). Supportive care: Communication strategies to improve cultural competence in shared decision making. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, CJN-13661215.
Doctors' Notes: Take control of your own health care | Toronto Star. (2016).thestar.com. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from https://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2016/06/20/doctors-notes-take-control-of-your-own-health-care.html
Equal Healthcare Through Innovation - Pro Bono Australia. (2016). Pro Bono Australia. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2016/08/equal-healthcare-innovation/
Health literacy training is the best prescription for everyone | The National. (2016). Thenational.ae. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/health-literacy-training-is-the-best-prescription-for-everyone
Study discerns elements of successful diversity training. (2016). Phys.org. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from http://phys.org/news/2016-08-discerns-elements-successful-diversity.html
We Need to Emphasize Mental Health Awareness in Minorities. (2016). UT News | The University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 18 August 2016, from http://news.utexas.edu/2016/08/17/we-need-to-emphasize-mental-health-awareness-in-minorities
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