Key Vocab
The pattern of learned behavior and values that are reinforced through social interactions, shared by members of a particular group, and transmitted from one generation to the next.
What is culture?
Cultural humility is described as this kind of process, one with no endpoint.
What is lifelong (or ongoing)?
Culture includes more than ethnicity. Name three other parts of a person’s identity that shapes their health beliefs.
What are faith, age, language, family, gender, income, ability, etc.
This type of question, such as “What matters most to you?”, can’t be answered with a simple yes or no.
What is an open-ended question?
A patient avoids eye contact while you talk. Before assuming they’re disinterested, you should do this.
What is recognize that eye contact norms vary and check in with them?
The erroneous belief that all people of a certain group are alike.
What is stereotyping?
Cultural humility starts by looking at this, rather than only learning about others.
What is yourself (your own biases and assumptions)?
A patient uses a home remedy alongside prescribed medication. Your first move is to do this.
What is ask about it respectfully and check for safety?
Sitting at eye level and using plain language helps reduce this between nurse and patient.
What is the power imbalance (barriers to trust, partnership)?
A patient nods and says “yes” to everything but looks unsure. Name one technique to use.
What is teach-back (with an interpreter if needed)?
Everyone has these automatic, underlying social stereotypes or attitudes about certain groups of people that operate outside of our conscious awareness.
What is implicit (unconscious) bias?
Competence can lead to this risk when you apply facts about a group to every individual in it.
What is stereotyping?
Two patients from the same culture can hold very different health beliefs. This is why it’s risky/unprofessional to do this.
What is assume or stereotype?
Name one question that invites a patient to share their beliefs about their care.
What is “What do you think is going on?” or “What does your family do for this?”
- Any open ended Q that asks patients to share experiences/challenges
A patient’s family wants to answer every question for them. Your first move is this.
What is directly address and engage the patient by gently turning your attention, body language, and questions toward them to assess their capacity and desire to speak for themselves?
These are used in clinical settings to identify beliefs, values, and health practices that may help or hinder nursing interventions.
What is cultural assessment?
Cultural humility asks you to notice this gap between nurse and patient in knowledge, role, and authority.
What is a power imbalance?
Explain why asking about a patient’s culture matters even when the treatment plan seems straightforward.
What is that culture affects trust, adherence, communication, and what “good care” means to the patient?
Instead of labeling a patient “noncompliant,” a humble nurse does this.
What is ask about barriers?
A family asks you not to tell the patient their diagnosis. A humble approach starts here.
What is ask the patient how much they want to know and explore the family’s concerns?
The inclination to view one's own cultural group as the standard by which to judge the value of other cultural groups.
What is ethnocentrism?
Name the three core commitments of cultural humility.
What are self-reflection, lifelong learning, and addressing power imbalances (partnership)?
Name two ways a nurse can include a patient’s family in care while still respecting the patient’s own wishes.
What are ask the patient who they want involved, ask the family about their role, and invite questions from both?
Name three everyday tools a nurse can use to practice cultural humility.
What are open questions, teach-back, interpreters, reflection, asking permission, and mindfulness?
A patient wants a care plan you personally disagree with. Name three steps.
What are listen, explore their reasoning and goals, check safety, negotiate, and consult if needed?