I wanted to share with our readers a piece of an article that was published by the National Center for Cultural Competence in the Fall 2011.
How can cultural brokers help?
Helen Dao shared the following:
"One of the providers serving a child with severe epilepsy and her family expressed frustration that the family had not followed up on scheduled appointments and evaluations recommended by the care team. When working with the family, Ms. Dao learned that they were concerned about out- of-home care and that the appointments were all associated with residential placement. It was simply unacceptable, not at all in keeping with the family’s values, to have a member cared for outside the family circle in a nursing home or other facility. The family chose not to inform the provider of their belief system because they did not want to be disrespectful. Ms. Dao was instrumental in this situation because she was able to bridge the gap between both the provider and the family through 1) clarifying the reasons why the appointments were needed and missed; 2) setting an example of how patients and providers can have a dialogue to discover their respective beliefs and practices that are immersed in culture; 3) identifying cultural beliefs and practices about respecting professionals who are in positions of authority; and 4) mediating a compromise between the family’s values and practices vs. recommendations of the medical community."
Source: NATIONAL CENTER FOR CULTURAL COMPETENCE, GUCCHD • FALL 2011
This is just one example of how a cultural broker can be instrumental in bridging the gap of communication between providers and families. On a daily basis, health care professionals, care coordinators, patient navigators, family members, front desk staff, social workers serve the role of cultural brokers without knowing that they are. The healthcare field should be paying more attention to this role because patients/families tend to be more confortable around someone who speaks their language, understands their culture and values, and will respond more positively to treatment.
About the Author:
Helen Dao, MHA
Dao Management Consulting Services, Inc.
A Health Care Company Connecting Providers & Communities
www.daoconsultingservices.com
Tel. 201-448-2046
How can cultural brokers help?
Helen Dao shared the following:
"One of the providers serving a child with severe epilepsy and her family expressed frustration that the family had not followed up on scheduled appointments and evaluations recommended by the care team. When working with the family, Ms. Dao learned that they were concerned about out- of-home care and that the appointments were all associated with residential placement. It was simply unacceptable, not at all in keeping with the family’s values, to have a member cared for outside the family circle in a nursing home or other facility. The family chose not to inform the provider of their belief system because they did not want to be disrespectful. Ms. Dao was instrumental in this situation because she was able to bridge the gap between both the provider and the family through 1) clarifying the reasons why the appointments were needed and missed; 2) setting an example of how patients and providers can have a dialogue to discover their respective beliefs and practices that are immersed in culture; 3) identifying cultural beliefs and practices about respecting professionals who are in positions of authority; and 4) mediating a compromise between the family’s values and practices vs. recommendations of the medical community."
Source: NATIONAL CENTER FOR CULTURAL COMPETENCE, GUCCHD • FALL 2011
This is just one example of how a cultural broker can be instrumental in bridging the gap of communication between providers and families. On a daily basis, health care professionals, care coordinators, patient navigators, family members, front desk staff, social workers serve the role of cultural brokers without knowing that they are. The healthcare field should be paying more attention to this role because patients/families tend to be more confortable around someone who speaks their language, understands their culture and values, and will respond more positively to treatment.
About the Author:
Helen Dao, MHA
Dao Management Consulting Services, Inc.
A Health Care Company Connecting Providers & Communities
www.daoconsultingservices.com
Tel. 201-448-2046
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