CBI Health Group

Staff Education Sessions

Social and Cultural Sensitivity

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Why do we need to talk about this?

We live in a society increasingly aware of cultural and social differences

This discussion is not about dictating right/wrong ways to interact with specific groups

Purpose is to get you thinking about social and cultural sensitivity and your current attitudes and behaviours

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Why do we need to talk about this?

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How will this help me do my job?

Helps to develop a sense of trust between you and the client

Maximizes the efficiency of how you spend your time with the client

Client is more likely to disclose pertinent information

Increases client compliance in treatment protocol

Decreases stress experienced by therapist and client

Increases client and therapist engagement levels

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Incorrect assumptions

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Incorrect assumptions

Don’t assume sameness

Don’t assume normalness

Don’t assume that what you meant is what was understood

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Dealing with cultural differences

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Dealing with cultural differences The easiest way to learn about a different culture is just to

ask!

Remember that the person is an individual and that all cultural characteristics do not apply to everyone of that background

Eye contact, emotional expressiveness, speech patterns, head movements, touching, and physical distance from you are just some of the ways that a client’s cultural background can influence his/her behaviour

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Refusing treatment due to cultural beliefs

Adults have a moral and legal right to make decisions about their own health care

Each of you also has a responsibility to attempt to understand the basis for the client’s refusal and address those concerns

You also have a responsibility to make sure the client understands the possible outcomes of refusing treatment

Consider avoiding expressions like “you must...” and instead show clients their options and let them decide. Consider saying “some people in this situation would…”

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Language barriers

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Language barriers

Clients with limited understanding of English may feel embarrassed about not knowing what you have told them

Don’t always assume “yes” to mean yes and “no” to mean no, you may need to probe further to ensure they understand you

Speaking loudly isn’t going to help people who can’t understand you. It will probably only irritate them

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Working with language interpreters

Often we forget that it is the client we should be focusing on, rather than the interpreter

Urge the interpreter to ask the clients to express, in their own words, what they understand has been said

While listening to the client respond, listen to the tone and look for non-verbal cues

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Social Sensitivity

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Social Sensitivity

We also need to ask ourselves whether we are sensitive to the needs of members of all socio-economic status groups

For example, if we treat illiterate individuals, are we ensuring that we are providing information on exercises and recovery in forms other than written word?

For example, if we treat homeless individuals, are we making any assumptions about access to resources that only people living in homes would have?

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Exploring your biases and preferences

The next time you hear or see someone different from you, try to remember to stop and take a minute to probe your reaction

For example, when you see a man who appears homeless coming into the clinic for treatment, do you alter your behaviour and treatment approach? How so?

For example, do you find yourself getting upset when a client’s family members want to participate in the health decisions that you feel should be made by the client alone?

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Going the extra distance

With relevant clients, do you identify and document the need for resources to overcome barriers?

• For example, poor literacy skills, lack of social support, etc.

What do you do to address these needs?