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This is cultural humility in action.
My friend is a Deaf graduate student, well into their 20s.
As healthcare professionals, we are responsible for actively participating in and ensuring the delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate care to our patients.
My friend is a Deaf graduate student, well into their 20s.
As healthcare professionals, we are responsible for actively participating in and ensuring the delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate care to our patients.
What is cultural humility?
Interpreters don’t just interpret language. They are also highly knowledgeable about cultural norms and practices, and will help guide all parties in their interactions.
I’ve overheard “¿DOLOR? ¿DOLOR?” being shouted at a patient - sure the words are interpretable but the care is nowhere to be found - lost in translation.
Would you want someone shouting “PAIN? PAIN?” at you when you’re in distress, unable to respond in a way they’d understand?
Would you want someone shouting “PAIN? PAIN?” at you when you’re in distress, unable to respond in a way they’d understand?
Having certified interpreters allows all parties to speak in their preferred languages (their comfort zones) and helps all parties truly understand the situation, context, and each other.
Some tips:
1) Speaking louder and slower won’t make people who speak a different language understand better.
It’s condescending and a waste of time. Get an interpreter instead.
1) Speaking louder and slower won’t make people who speak a different language understand better.
It’s condescending and a waste of time. Get an interpreter instead.
2) Remember that the interaction will take longer due to relaying information through at least 1 other person. Be patient.
They are no less deserving of comprehensive care than patients of your native language.
They are no less deserving of comprehensive care than patients of your native language.
3) Children and family members are never acceptable substitutes for interpreters, except in absolute emergencies.
Most interactions are not life or death. Take the time to get an interpreter. It is YOUR responsibility to get interpretation services, not the patient.
Most interactions are not life or death. Take the time to get an interpreter. It is YOUR responsibility to get interpretation services, not the patient.
3 cont.) Children and family members should not be burdened with the task of interpreting.
They cannot be fully focused on providing accurate interpretations while also providing support - it is unethical to ask/let them to assume that role outside of a life or death emergency.
They cannot be fully focused on providing accurate interpretations while also providing support - it is unethical to ask/let them to assume that role outside of a life or death emergency.
4) Get an interpreter, even if the interaction will just take a minute.
That’s a whole minute of them not fully understanding you. Do the right thing, even if it’s inconvenient.
That’s a whole minute of them not fully understanding you. Do the right thing, even if it’s inconvenient.
5) Accept that you can’t know everything about a person’s culture.
Stereotyping is a cognitive bias, a shortcut that our brain takes. It’s easy.
But it’ll get you in trouble more often than not. Take a second & reflect on why you made the assumption, then go learn about the pt.
Stereotyping is a cognitive bias, a shortcut that our brain takes. It’s easy.
But it’ll get you in trouble more often than not. Take a second & reflect on why you made the assumption, then go learn about the pt.
