There are definitely cultural aspects of growth and development for every phase or cycle of our lives. In Chapter 3, the goal of Healthy People 2020 is to improve cost effectiveness of healthcare and the compliance of healthy behaviors by understanding and meeting the cultural needs of Americans. How does cultural competence impact healthcare in regards to the various cultural groups? Is healthcare family centered based on the culture of the group and it’s family structure? Keep in mind that the family is a social system that involves interaction with and commitment to its own group members.
Healthcare can only be truly family-centered if it adapts to the cultural definition of "family." While Western healthcare often focuses on the individual patient as the primary decision-maker, many other cultures have a more collectivistic family structure. In these groups, the family unit, not the individual, is the central social system.
For instance, in many Hispanic, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures, healthcare decisions are often made through a family consensus or by a family elder, such as a patriarch or matriarch. In this context, a family-centered approach means:
Including family members in all consultations, as they are key decision-makers and support providers.
Respecting the hierarchy within the family structure when communicating about treatment options.
Understanding the family's role in providing daily care and emotional support for the patient, which is often a fundamental expectation.
By contrast, a strictly individualistic approach to care would be disrespectful and could lead to a patient's non-compliance or distrust, as they feel their family's values are being ignored. Therefore, for healthcare to be effective and culturally sensitive, its definition of "family-centered" must be flexible and align with the specific cultural norms of the patient's group.
Sample Answer
Cultural competence significantly impacts healthcare by improving patient outcomes, increasing trust, and reducing health disparities. This is because effective healthcare delivery must be culturally responsive, meaning it respects and understands the health beliefs, values, and communication styles of various cultural groups.
For example, a culturally competent healthcare provider understands that in some cultures, direct eye contact with an authority figure may be seen as a sign of disrespect, which could lead to misunderstandings during a consultation. Likewise, a provider who understands a patient's dietary restrictions or reliance on traditional healing practices is better equipped to create a treatment plan that the patient will actually follow, thereby improving compliance with healthy behaviors—a key goal of Healthy People 2020. This respectful approach builds trust, a crucial component for effective care, as patients are more likely to be honest about their symptoms and health history when they feel understood and valued.