CR#2: Observation of Culture
As the text shares Cultural Competence is “the training and mastery of a theoretically finite body of knowledge”(117). Being knowledgeable of the cultural differences is essential in most cases. Competence is to be aware and knowledgeable to a sufficient point. Cultural humility, on the other hand, works with “lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique to redressing the power imbalances in the patient-physical dynamic, and to developing mutually beneficial and nonpaternalistic clinical and advocacy partnership with communities on behalf of individuals and defined populations.”(117). Cultural Humility is based entirely around continuous learning and evaluation. Cultural humility works alongside cultural competence but is more essential to learning and overall growth. The practice of cultural humility must be incorporated in all professions, for example, sensitivity training. In a healthcare setting, it is essential to understand and be open to continuous learning. Culture is arguably the most important factor in one’s life, must be understood for independent human care. Not everyone is the same, as it’s well known, hindering the need for more open-ended knowledge, leaving oneself vulnerable, to having new experiences and growing individually. Lack of mutual respect inhibits learning, illustrating the need for respect when practicing cultural humility. The two practices must work together, knowledge and ongoing learning are essential, alongside it, one may self- reflect. Ongoing learning is the platform for cultural humility working with cultural competence.
Ethnography is defined throughout multiple texts as a method for research and techniques for sharing observed data. Ethnography when done right, requires an extensive period of time observing a social group or community, with a focus on culture, interactions, individual people and more. Diving in and being open to learning is necessary when gathering as much correct and descriptive data as possible. When practicing ethnography, it is essential to ensure that the community you are observing both trusts you and is comfortable with your presence. These forms of observations and practices have been conducted through time in places such as churches, schools, street corners, and even more specific locations. When describing data that is being constantly gathered, it is important to be as descriptive as possible, painting a picture, rather than starting a story. These techniques of writing and data analysis are called “thick descriptions”. It is important to continue to ask questions, challenge yourself to dive deeper. This is important for it gives one a deeper look and real realities of different communities and cultural differences.
This semester when working at the Sparh Center, I will need to take these practices and put them in to play. The Community partner I will be working with semester will be in a parked van, getting a chance to be in the middle of a community. With these practices and strategies in mind, I will need to ensure clients are comfortable with me and strive for their trust. In addition, making sure to do Give pulse impacts and notes the day of my shift. This will allow me to have the memory fresh in my mind in order to reflect as accurately as I can, and share in much detail. I have always struggled with using descriptive language, because of this I will strive to be more descriptive in my language this semester, possibly taking notes while on shift. Focusing on not only my interactions but those of others, keeping all possibilities for learning open.
“Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education”. Melanie Tervalon; Jann Murray-Garcia. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved; May 1998; 9, 2; Research Library pg. 117
