Main description:

This book serves as an introduction to a framework designed to develop cultural competence (a set of behaviours, attitudes and policies that allow professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations). The content, reading level, and pedagogy focuses on learning and acquiring the necessary skills to identify and deal with a diversity of cultures encountered in any health care setting. Appendices present information about particular groups, rather than by ethnicity or religion which can be very limiting. Our appendices present information by "populations" as they are clinically encountered (e.g. beginning of life / end of life etc.)

Unique approach: looks at populations the way health care workers encounter them, not by ethno-cultural/religious labels
Multidisciplinary approach to writing reflects a variety of perspectives and direct front-line experience
Discussion is broad and inclusive, integrating different perspectives, but also makes visible the different paradigms used to approach the topic
Case studies and questions encourage critical thinking and dialogue

Contents:

SECTION I: Foundations for Developing Clinical Cultural Competence

1. Understanding Cultural Competence in Health
2. Culture: Discourses, Myths, and Misconceptions
3. Culture Care Framework I: Overview And Cultural Sensitivity
4. Culture Care Framework II: Cultural Knowledge, Resources, and Bridging the Gap

SECTION II: Cultural Knowledge across Populations

5. Cross-Cultural Communication
6. Working with Interpreters
7. Beliefs of Illness and Ways of Healing
8. Cultural Care of Families

SECTION III: Cultural Considerations in Specific Populations

9. Cultural Considerations at the Beginning of Life
10. Cultural Considerations at the End of Life
11. Cultural Considerations in Immigrant Women's Health
12. Cultural Considerations in Mental Health
13. Cultural Considerations in Pain Management
14. Cultural Considerations in Caring Healing and Complementary Therapies

GlossaryIndex