Multicultural communication is exchanging information, ideas, and values between individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It is a process that involves understanding, interpreting, and responding to messages from other cultural groups. Multicultural communication originated from the need to bridge the gap between different cultures and nations, which was caused by the rapid globalization of the world (Karjalainen, 2020). It is crucial to understand and respect each culture in order to foster communication and promote positive relationships.
Culture, ethnicity, and acculturation are terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, norms, and behaviors of a particular group or society (Kizgin et al., 2019). It includes language, religion, art, food, and other aspects of life. Ethnicity is related to the shared characteristics of a particular race or group, such as skin color, language, and religion (Kizgin et al., 2019). Acculturation is adapting to a new culture or environment, which may involve learning a new language, adopting new customs, and adjusting to different values and beliefs.
Cultural and religious differences can affect healthcare professionals and patients in many ways. When providing healthcare services, it is important to recognize and respect the patient’s cultural and religious beliefs. For example, various cultures have different beliefs about specific medical treatments, such as blood transfusions, organ transplants, or certain medications. Additionally, religious beliefs may influence decisions about end-of-life care. These differences can create communication barriers and lead to misunderstandings and conflict.
Family culture becomes one of the critical factors to consider in patient education more so considering aspects such as values and systems of belief. The family’s values, beliefs, and attitudes can play a role in how a patient interprets and responds to healthcare information. It is essential for healthcare professionals to be aware of the family’s culture and to consider how this may affect the patient’s understanding of the healthcare information they are providing.
There are several approaches healthcare professionals can use to address religious and cultural diversity. It is essential to be aware of and respectful of each patient’s beliefs, values, and traditions. Healthcare professionals should strive to provide culturally appropriate care and use clear and understandable language. Additionally, healthcare professionals should provide resources for patients to learn more about their culture and religion making them to easily adapt to the changes that might take place within the setup.
There are several types of Illiteracy, including functional, computer illiteracy, and health literacy. Functional Illiteracy is the inability to read, write, and understand basic information. Computer illiteracy is the need for more knowledge and skills to use computers. Health literacy is understanding health information, such as medical instructions and terminology. The knowledge that transcends both computer and health literacy allows one to grow holistically with vast skills that prove to be useful in various sectors.
Illiteracy is a disability that can profoundly impact an individual’s life. Illiteracy can lead to a lack of access to necessities like housing, healthcare, and employment. Additionally, Illiteracy can lead to feelings of embarrassment and social isolation. The consequences of Illiteracy can be far-reaching and damaging. Illiterate individuals are often limited in their employment opportunities, leading to poverty and economic instability. They are also less likely to access healthcare services, leading to poorer health outcomes. Furthermore, Illiteracy impacts social relationships, as it can be difficult for illiterate individuals to understand and communicate effectively with others. It can also lead to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem, further limiting social and economic opportunities.
Several myths about Illiteracy need to be dispelled. One myth is that Illiteracy is a problem only in developing countries. However, Illiteracy is a problem in developed countries as well. Another myth is that a lack of intelligence causes Illiteracy. Various factors, including poverty, language barriers, and a lack of access to education, can cause Illiteracy. Illiteracy is an issue of the past that remains another myth that has been there for some time. This is one of the most pervasive myths about Illiteracy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that more than 775 million people and 115 million children are still illiterate (Arce Rentería et al., 2019). Literacy rates have indeed increased dramatically in many parts of the world in the last century, but the fact is that Illiteracy is still a significant issue in many countries.
Healthcare professionals can assess literacy skills by asking questions that require the patient to read, write, or understand verbal instructions. Additionally, healthcare professionals can evaluate written material for readability by using readability formulas, such as the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Another tool for assessing readability is the Gunning Fog Index. Based on the typical amount of words per sentence and the percentage of complicated terms, this index employs a formula to determine a score (Arce Rentería et al., 2019). Complex words require a higher literacy level and are often more complex than everyday words. This score can then be used to determine the difficulty of the written material.
Healthcare professionals should use simple, straightforward language to communicate effectively with patients. Additionally, healthcare professionals should be aware of the patient’s cultural and religious beliefs and use respectful and appropriate language. Healthcare professionals should also allow the patient to ask questions and provide feedback. All these interventions allow the patient to feel well treated and cared for hence hastening the recovery process and even avoiding any future complications.
There are several ways healthcare professionals can help patients remember instructions. For example, healthcare professionals can provide written instructions, use visuals, and ask the patient to repeat the instructions. Additionally, healthcare professionals can use repetition and simplify the instructions by breaking them into smaller steps. Written instructions provide satisfaction to these patients since there is the feeling of love. They can use the written instructions any time in the future when they suffer from a similar disease that appears to be prominent.
References
Arce Rentería, M., Vonk, J. M. J., Felix, G., Avila, J. F., Zahodne, L. B., Dalchand, E., Frazer, K. M., Martinez, M. N., Shouel, H. L., & Manly, J. J. (2019). Illiteracy, dementia risk, and cognitive trajectories among older adults with low education. Neurology, 93(24), e2247–e2256. Web.
Karjalainen, H. (2020). Cultural identity and its impact on today’s multicultural organizations. International Journal of Cross-Cultural Management, 20(2), 249–262. Web.
Kizgin, H., Dey, B. L., Dwivedi, Y. K., Hughes, L., Jamal, A., Jones, P., Kronemann, B., Laroche, M., Peñaloza, L., Richard, M.-O., Rana, N. P., Romer, R., Tamilmani, K., & Williams, M. D. (2019). The impact of social media on consumer acculturation: Current challenges, opportunities, and an agenda for research and practice. International Journal of Information Management, 51. Web.