As a patient advocate, you have the responsibility and the opportunity to foster respect and inclusion among your clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. Respect and inclusion are essential for building trust, rapport, and collaboration in the complex and diverse health care environment. How do you foster respect and inclusion in your practice? Here are some tips and strategies to help you.
Diversity is not only about visible differences, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or disability. It also includes invisible differences, such as culture, religion, sexual orientation, age, education, or socioeconomic status. Recognizing diversity means acknowledging and appreciating the unique perspectives, experiences, and needs of each individual. It also means avoiding stereotypes, assumptions, and biases that can lead to discrimination or exclusion.
Effective communication is the key to fostering respect and inclusion. It involves listening actively, speaking clearly, and using appropriate language and tone. It also involves being sensitive to the communication styles, preferences, and barriers of others. For example, you may need to use interpreters, translators, or assistive devices for some clients. You may also need to adapt your communication to different cultural norms, such as eye contact, gestures, or personal space.
Educating yourself is an ongoing process of learning and improving your knowledge and skills in respect and inclusion. It involves seeking feedback, attending training, reading resources, and joining networks. It also involves reflecting on your own values, beliefs, and attitudes, and challenging yourself to grow and change. Educating yourself can help you become more aware, confident, and competent in your practice.
So, several years ago I came across a scholarly article that discussed "cultural humility." I believe this is a major factor in diversity and inclusion. We may think we know about another's culture, be it sex, gender, race, ethnicity, etc., but do we really? We may have book knowledge and experience with a specific culture, but cultural humility is different than knowledge. Cultural humility means being respectful, open to learning, willing to listen, admitting misperceptions, and acknowledging the cultural wisdom in another person. The term cultural competence is not one that I prefer. Can any person be competent in another's culture? We can all have cultural humility, learn about other cultures, be mindful, function in another culture.
Collaborating with others is a way of fostering respect and inclusion by working together toward a common goal. It involves sharing information, ideas, and resources, and respecting the roles and contributions of each team member. It also involves seeking input, feedback, and support from others, and acknowledging their strengths and achievements. Collaborating with others can help you build trust, rapport, and mutual understanding.
Advocating for inclusion is a way of fostering respect and inclusion by promoting the rights, interests, and needs of your clients and communities. It involves identifying and addressing the barriers, gaps, and challenges that affect their access, quality, and outcomes of care. It also involves raising awareness, educating others, and influencing policies and practices that support diversity and inclusion. Advocating for inclusion can help you make a positive difference in the health care system.
Celebrating diversity is a way of fostering respect and inclusion by recognizing and appreciating the richness and value of diversity. It involves creating and participating in opportunities to learn from, interact with, and celebrate different cultures, backgrounds, and identities. It also involves expressing gratitude, appreciation, and recognition for the diversity of your clients, colleagues, and stakeholders. Celebrating diversity can help you create a positive and inclusive culture in your practice.
I have been studying Afghanistan for 14 years. I know a lot about the country, people, culture, religion, politics, and history. I have been to the country twice and have many good Afghan friends in the US. However, I do not believe I am culturally competent, but through cultural humility I have learned how to act and communicate respectfully with Afghan people. I have visited Afghans in their homes and they have visited mine. We have enjoyed our time together and were able to accept each other's beliefs and values without strife.