Page 20 - ASCO Cultural Competency Toolkit

Differing Beliefs Around Health and Medicine
To meet the diverse needs of our patients, practitioners must be aware of cultural factors that affect the delivery and outcomes of care. There are many beliefs surrounding health that fall outside of what is considered traditional western principles. Medical decisions are impacted not only by physician- related factors like personal characteristics, professional interactions, and time constraints, but also by patient factors such as cultural customs and spiritual convictions in addition to “socioeconomic status, quality of life and patient's expectations and wishes” for example. (Hajjaj F, et al. 2010) As such, doctors of optometry and staff should also consider factors that influence health and wellness in other cultures.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has some examples of how religion, culture, and ethnic customs can influence how patients’ interact with clinicians. (AHRQ, 2020)
▪ Health beliefs: In some cultures, people believe that talking about a possible poor health outcome will cause that outcome to occur.
▪ Health customs: In some cultures, family members play a large role in health care decision- making.
▪ Ethnic customs: Differing roles of women and men in society may determine who makes decisions about accepting and following through with medical treatments.
▪ Religious beliefs: Religious faith and spiritual beliefs may affect healthcare-seeking behavior and people's willingness to accept specific treatments or behavior changes.
▪ Dietary customs: Disease-related dietary advice will be difficult to follow if it does not conform to the foods or cooking methods used by the patient.
▪ Interpersonal customs: Eye contact or physical touch will be expected in some cultures and inappropriate or offensive in others.
GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY
18