Cultural Humility is an Essential Skill for Healthcare Providers.

Hi Hi !

I’ll tell you one of the reasons I love to publish on the weekend. It could mean more readers, potentially able to relax while they consume my content without worrying about an upcoming meeting at work or a report they need to submit. If I am less fortunate, it could mean less people reading because they have to be at a wedding, or brunch, or other personal event over the weekend. I hope for the former this weekend because this topic is important for everyone.?

My good friend Lyanne Boateng once told me and others of how she witnessed a pregnant woman refuse a caesarian section to deliver her baby that had a hydrocephalus (an abnormally enlarged head due to fluid buildup in the brain). She refused this intervention because her religious leader forbade it and she was not going to disobey. In the end both mother and baby tragically lost their lives.This could be a potential case study of how cultural humility can been applied. I will explain this concept further.

You may have heard stories of bad customer service from health facilities in Ghana or saddened by the traumatising stories told by families who sought care from some hospitals. To be fair, many of our hospitals have poor infrastructure and few specialised staff to handle some of the complications. Additionally, health workers often work under poor conditions.

Some stories may have ended in the most tragic outcomes as above due to patient misinformation, delay in accessing quality care, and medical negligence. Yes, there are many success stories out there as well, however the focus of this newsletter issue is to spark a conversation about how cultural humility of health care providers might help to improve the quality of care, patient satisfaction and acceptance of health services.

Socio-culturally, healthcare professionals occupy such a place of honour and reverence to such a fault that patients are often unable to advocate for themselves and to make their preferences known. “White coats” are surely experts in their field of practice but cannot be experts of the culture of a patient. (This is why cultural competence is not the right term to use here.) Since culture plays a major? role in healthcare delivery, it is important for caregivers to learn the skill of cultural humility to better understand the values and belief systems that influence a patient’s health behaviour. Taking this first step as caregivers would help patients take better decisions concerning their health.?

A culturally humble healthcare provider comes from a place of shared decision making because she is able to gain the trust and confidence of the patient. Cultural humility acknowledges the patient’s reality and approaches care on a “levelled playing field” and not as expert versus layperson.That way, patients are more likely to comply with interventions and give additional information that might clarify their true needs. Avoiding stereotyping and bias is key to achieving this.

In my approach as a breastfeeding counsellor, I always seek to interact with families in a culturally appropriate manner. Breastfeeding is heavily influenced by cultural and societal norms, so this is a must. As is commonly the case, grandmothers play an important role in supporting mothers postpartum and may influence feeding choices for the newborn. I always recommend that support persons, including grandmothers come along for consultations and breastfeeding classes because their knowledge and opinions matter more to the parents than mine. As a useful tool, I? use the LOVE counselling method that was emphasised in Lactation Education Resources’ training? program for Lactation Consultants:

L- Listening actively

O- Open ended questions

V- Validating the client’s experiences or responses

E- Educating and empowering.

Such strategies are as important as the technical skills and knowledge for solving problems. These not only deliver the solution to the client’s doorstep but ensure that the clients open their doors to receive it wholeheartedly. This is what every healthcare provider should aim for.

Here are some practical ways in which healthcare professionals can show cultural humility in their care.

Consider health literacy levels: Recognize that health literacy levels may vary among different cultural groups. Use plain language, visual aids, and culturally appropriate educational materials to ensure that patients understand important health information and can make informed decisions.

Provide written materials in multiple languages: Make educational materials, consent forms, and instructions available in multiple languages commonly spoken by the patient population. This facilitates better comprehension and empowers patients to actively participate in their own healthcare.

Engage in community outreach: Actively engage with the community you serve by participating in cultural events, workshops, or community forums. This demonstrates a commitment to understanding and meeting the unique healthcare needs of diverse populations.

Seek feedback and learn from mistakes: Actively seek feedback from patients and their families regarding their experience with the healthcare system. Learn from any mistakes or missteps, and use these opportunities to continuously improve cultural humility and patient-centred care.

Incorporate traditional healing practices: In some cultures, traditional healing practices and alternative therapies play a significant role in health and wellness. Health care providers should be open to discussing and integrating these practices when appropriate, while also ensuring patient safety and coordinating care effectively.

If you are a health care provider, you may need to learn to be culturally humble all the time because a patient’s culture is dynamic and there is something new to learn at all times to help you deliver the best care. As patients we should be empowered to engage our caregivers to help us better understand the services they provide and to advocate for ourselves.?

I hope reading this newsletter has been a beneficial use of your time this weekend. Let me know what you think about this topic .

Warmly,

Naadu Hazel,

Certified Breastfeeding Specialist