Five Cross Cultural Capabilities for Clinical Staff

Five cross-cultural capabilities: for clinical staff

You should be able to:

consider what your own culture is and how you feel about different cultural beliefs and values
demonstrate a sound understanding of 'culture'
conduct a cultural self- assessment to identify your own culture, and position your cultural beliefs against that of the health system
conduct an assessment of the organisational and professional cultures to which you belong
identify and address personal and organisational biases.

You should be able to:

gain a better understanding of 'culture', and potential cultural differences
recognise power relations that are produced in the health system, and exhibit sensitivity to the impact of power differentials on culturally and diverse consumers
conduct a cultural assessment to determine and accommodate different needs
elicit different explanatory models and respond appropriately
understand different consumer behaviours may be influenced by culture
employ self-reflection to explore differences and similarities across cultures.

You should be able to:

consider a range of social factors that may impact on consumer behaviour
understand the impact of migration and exile on individuals
consider the interplay of other individual factors such as gender, sexuality, age and socioeconomic contexts on identity
understand that individuals may not identify with their own culture, and many individuals within Australia consider themselves 'bi-cultural'
appreciate that individuals may have more than one identity and identity is subject to change
avoid cultural determinism and identify individual need

You should be able to:

be sensitive and responsive to varying cultural norms in relation to verbal and non-verbal communication
communicate effectively across cultures
be sensitive to, and overcome, potential barriers to effective cross cultural communication
deliver information in culturally appropriate and targeted ways
avoid making assumptions or judgements about individuals based on their communication style.

You should be able to:

gain trust and build relationships with individuals across cultures
work towards consensus with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds understand the importance of, and able to involve culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients in, decision-making processes
conduct community consultation and engagement
work across disciplines to provide appropriate care
skilled at facilitating linkages including development of referral pathways
skilled at establishing formal and informal collaborative networks
value and facilitate the exchange of information across disciplinary boundaries.