Cultural Influences on Health Care Practices
Course Overview
Course Title: Community Health & Cultural Perceptions (DEN 1065)
Learning Outcomes:
Relate cultural perceptions to a person's understanding of health, illness, and healthcare
Instructor: Victoria St. Hilaire
Year: 2025
Page 1: Introduction
Introduction to cultural perceptions in healthcare, emphasizing how traditions, beliefs, and values shape individual perspectives on health and illness.
Discussion on the importance of understanding how culture impacts health and illness, leading to more effective, personalized care.
Page 2: Health According to WHO
World Health Organization (WHO)
Referenced video: Health (January 2021)
Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion:
Build healthy public policy: Advocating for policy changes that prioritize health on a community level.
Create supportive environments: Ensuring access to resources that promote healthy living.
Strengthen community action: Encouraging collective participation in health initiatives.
Develop personal skills: Fostering individual capabilities to manage and improve personal and community health.
Reorient health services: Aligning healthcare services to better meet the holistic needs of communities.
Page 3: Course Objectives
Key Terms
Race
Ethnicity
Cultural diversity
Cross-cultural communication
Stereotyping
Ethnocentrism
Holism
Discussion Points
Demographic, social, and cultural trends influencing oral health, including the role of immigration and globalization.
Examination of health disparities and access to oral healthcare, focusing on systemic injustices.
Characteristics of holistic healthcare that considers multiple aspects of health, including physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Identification of barriers presented by cultural differences in healthcare, including language, belief systems, and healthcare literacy.
Page 4: Evolving Diverse Population
Discussion on the evolution and implications of population diversity, emphasizing how increasing diversity affects healthcare needs and practices in Canada.
Page 5: Social Concepts
American Melting Pot vs. Salad Bowl
Concepts representing how diverse cultures coexist in societies. The melting pot model emphasizes assimilation, while the salad bowl celebrates multicultural coexistence.
Page 6: Ethnic Origins in Ontario
Top 10 ethnic origins in Ontario:
English: 3,110
Scottish: 2,809
Irish: 2,107
French: 1,349
German: 1,190
Italian: 932
Chinese: 884
East Indian: 713
Dutch: 509
Others included for a comprehensive overview.
Note: Counts reflect individuals who report multiple ethnicities, highlighting the complex identity tapestry in Ontario.
Page 7: Canadian Ancestry Data
Reference to data showcasing Canadian ancestry trends, emphasizing the diverse historical roots influencing modern Canada.
Page 8: DNA Analysis in Canada
Ethnicity Breakdown
Breakdown of Canadian ethnicity based on DNA data from over 70,000 residents:
Great Britain: 24.1%
Ireland/Scotland/Wales: 18.9%
Various other origins representing the multicultural fabric of Canada.
Page 9: Cultural Competence in Healthcare
The necessity of cultural competence in healthcare settings to reduce disparities and improve patient outcomes.
Importance of understanding cultural barriers, including communication styles and health beliefs, to enhance the quality of care provided to diverse populations.
Page 10: Developing Cultural Competence
Key Aspects
Awareness of personal biases and how they may affect interactions with patients.
The importance of respect, validation, and openness towards differences among patients and communities.
Viewing clients as unique individuals with their own cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and needs.
Page 11: Understanding Race
Classification based on physical traits and the historical context of race relations, focusing on the impact of these classifications on healthcare access and treatment.
Concepts of heredity and genetic transmission and their implications in health and predisposition to diseases.
Page 12: Understanding Ethnicity
Importance of cultural and social heritage in defining a group, impacting healthcare perceptions and practices.
Page 13: Cultural Attitudes and Beliefs
Overview of cultural characteristics affecting behaviors in health contexts, including risk perception, knowledge of health conditions, and health-seeking behavior.
Page 14: Cultural Example South/Southeast Asian Practices
Example of Betel Leaf as a traditional mouth freshener, including cultural significance and health implications.
Page 15: Betel Nut Effects
Discussion of staining effects from Betel Nut consumption, including potential health risks associated with prolonged use.
Page 16: Traditional Dental Practices
Role of the Tooth + Brush Tree and its health benefits in indigenous and local communities, showcasing traditional approaches to oral health.
Page 17: Subculture Defined
Definition and implications of subcultures in healthcare, highlighting the judgments and assumptions made about different cultural groups.
Page 18: Human Needs and Moral Perspectives
Basic Human Needs overview, emphasizing the multifaceted needs that transcend culture, including physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization needs.
Page 19: Concept of Humanism
Emphasis on individual dignity and the need for understanding behaviors across cultures, guiding ethical practices in healthcare delivery.
Page 20: Understanding Stereotyping
Clarification of stereotypes and their impact on social contexts, particularly how they shape healthcare interactions and perceptions.
Page 21: Ethnocentrism
Definition and examples of ethnocentric attitudes in healthcare, stressing the need for a culturally sensitive approach to care.
Page 22: Prejudice Common Forms
Discussion of prejudice based on race, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and its repercussions on healthcare access and treatment equity.
Page 23: Discrimination
Definition and implications of discrimination in healthcare settings, including differential treatment based on cultural and social identities.
Page 24: Racism
Definition and effects on societal structures and healthcare, analyzing both systematic and individual racism in healthcare delivery.
Page 25: Q and A Section
Open for discussion and clarification of covered topics, encouraging student engagement and exploration.
Page 26: Demographic Trends in Oral Health
Key insights into current events affecting oral health among diverse groups, including impacts of immigration and cultural practices.
Page 27: Oral Health Disparities
Discussion on the ongoing disparities in oral health within Canada, addressing systemic barriers and proposing solutions.
Page 28: Determinants of Health
Recall Section
Importance of recognizing factors influencing health inequalities such as economic, social, and environmental conditions.
Page 29: Policies and Health Equity
Discussion based on framework by Dahlgren and Whitehead, analyzing policy implications on improving health equity among diverse populations.
Page 30: Canadian Inequalities
Reference to additional media on health inequality, including statistics and personal stories that illustrate the issue.
Page 31: Inequality and Poverty
Overview of health inequities influenced by economic and structural factors, with case studies demonstrating real-life impacts.
Page 32: Healthcare Literacy Issues
Key challenges in understanding health literacy among underserved populations, emphasizing the role of education and communication.
Page 33: Improving Seniors' Oral Health
Resource to aid in dental care access for low-income seniors, looking at community programs and initiatives to improve oral health.
Page 34: Concept of Holism
Holistic perspective emphasizing the individual as a whole, taking into account physical, emotional, and social factors influencing health.
Page 35: Characteristics of Holistic Healthcare
Overview of beliefs and practices within holistic health care, including multidisciplinary approaches and patient-centered care.
Page 36: Oral Health Trends
Analysis of groups in Canada struggling with oral health, identifying patterns and proposing targeted interventions.
Page 37: Access to Care Challenges
Cultural Barriers
Discussion on cultural influences affecting healthcare access, focusing on language barriers and misinterpretations of health practices.
Page 38: Dental Care Barriers
Comprehensive list of barriers preventing access to dental services, including cost, transportation, and cultural misconceptions.
Page 39: Role of Dental Hygienists
Discussing the impact of dental hygienists on patient outcomes, particularly in culturally diverse settings where sensitive communication is crucial.
Page 40: Communication Factors
Key factors undermining effective communication in healthcare settings, including jargon, assumptions, and cultural differences.
Page 41: Effects of Prejudice and Stereotyping
Relating negative concepts to social dynamics and healthcare interactions, with examples illustrating real-world consequences.
Page 42: Enhancing Cross-Cultural Communication
Strategies to improve cross-cultural communication effectiveness, including training programs and community involvement.
Page 43: Decision-Making Styles
Cultural Perspectives
Contrast between collectivist and individualistic cultures in healthcare decision-making, affecting patient autonomy and involvement.
Page 44: Cultural Characteristics
Overview of individual vs. collective cultures covering identity, responsibility, and values, and their implications in healthcare settings.
Page 45: Communication Skills in Healthcare
Techniques Overview: Importance of therapeutic communication in clinical settings to build trust and improve patient outcomes.
Page 46: Cultural Blind Spot Syndrome
Issues arising from underestimating cultural differences in clinical settings, resulting in misunderstandings and potential treatment failures.
Page 47: Documentation in Dental Care
Importance of thorough evaluation and documentation in patient care to ensure continuity and recognize cultural factors influencing treatment.
Page 48: Cross-Cultural Dental Hygiene Process
Steps in providing culturally competent dental care, including assessments of cultural background and adapting communication strategies.
Page 49: Continuous Evaluation in Dental Care
Reevaluating patient success from cultural perspectives, including patient feedback and ongoing assessments.
Page 50: Accuracy in Documentation
Emphasizing precise documentation and its relevance to patient care, ensuring that cultural contexts are noted and understood.
Page 51: Q and A Section
Continuous engagement and knowledge check session, encouraging students to express their thoughts and questions actively.
Page 52: Summary of Objectives
Comprehensive summary of definitions and objectives to reinforce knowledge, helping to prepare students for real-world application.
Page 53: Terminology
Accessing Care and Holistic Healthcare: Review of major barriers and factors affecting healthcare interactions, ensuring students are well-equipped with knowledge for future healthcare environments.