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We need only tune into our local news channel to see the rapid growth of immigrants arriving in unprecedented numbers. For this reason, in order to reduce disparities in our current health care system, which mainly affects racial and ethnic minorities, it is essential for us to understand our own ethnocentrism, stereotyping tendencies, and prejudices due to our own cultural values and personal experiences. Only then, along with the help of well-organized, effective training, can we begin to level the playing field and lessen the gaps compared to the rest of the United States population, and begin to see positive results. Ethnocentrism makes it impossible for us to see the world through unfiltered eyes. We are our own experiences. These beliefs
Immigration and the minority population is increasing each and every year. With a growing ethnically diverse population, it is vital that nurses are sufficiently equipped for and able to work with patients in a way that identifies and respects their diversity.
Therefore, considering these issues is an impediment when discussing the disparities in health. Some minorities are disadvantaged in the current healthcare while some are not. However, it is complicated to identify reasons for inequalities because health outcome is a result of numerous interactions with factors including the individual’s access to care, the quality of care provided, health behaviors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, the presence or absence of complicating conditions, and personal attitudes toward health and medicine. Therefore, Examining existing racial and ethnic issues, developing potential solutions for current disparities, and preparing for future challenges as shifts in trends emerge are essential aspects of health care improvements” (Boslaugh,
There are several drivers that affect the functionality of health care systems. These entities or controllers move medical services in different directions and substantiate the need for change in organizations around the world. One pressing issue that has caused concern for the United States and other nations is demographics (Drivers of change). Demographics is defined by the growth and age of the people, as well as the diversity of the community (Drivers of change). In the U.S., the average age of the public has increased substantially due to longer life spans (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2012). This results in a maximization of hospital visits and cost to society (Shi & Singh, 2012). Unlike other countries, our health practices do not offer the best care at free or manageable cost (Reid, 2008). This nation is expected to continue to expand by 25% at the end of 2025 (Drivers of change). As a result, health disparities will require diversification of access, utilization, quality, and the health environment (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2012). A need for cultural integrity must be instituted for all people based on race, ethnic background, religion, and class (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2012).
According to the institute of Medicine (IOM), racism is a problem in the health care system, that is, the difference between the quality of health care received by minorities and non-minorities is due to racism. IOM is a nonprofit organization that advises the federal government and the public on science policy. It released a report that on average, minorities receive a lower quality of care, even when factors such as income and type of health insurance are accounted for. The report by IOM states that racial stereotypes and prejudice are the cause of the health care disparities. The article by IOM points ...
Seeking care in any type of health care facility is usually not the most favorite activity of any individual. It is likely viewed as a “necessary evil,” something that must be done but is not pleasantly anticipated. Making the encounter between health care professional and client both helpful and therapeutic is a challenge. The major problems with treating the uninsured clients are continuity of care, and collecting payments for services. For those living in poverty, this is especially true. In my research, the one constant that the client’s expressed about visiting a doctor was embarrassment, fear, anger, and anxiety. Embarrassment in not having health insurance, fear of the unknown procedures and diagnosis, anger at being in such a vulnerable position, and anxiety about the cost, payment obligations and the impact on the family’s budget.
The United States is a collection of multicultural and diverse individuals and communities (Dreachlin, Gilbert, & Malone, 2013). People of all races, ethnicities, religions, and diversities, each with their own uniqueness, now comprise our health care system. However; in one way we are all the same.
According to Penner et al. (2013), there are various causes of healthcare disparities, such as socioeconomic status; this results to poor healthcare services for people with low socioeconomic status, as people with low pay find it difficult to leave their work to seek healthcare help, or to afford healthcare insurance (p.4). The second cause is language proficiency. The language barriers faced by the immigrant plays a role in the healthcare disparities among the racial or ethnic minority patients. Another cause is health literacy. The levels of the health literacy among the foreign born individuals can be influenced by their higher level of distrust of the healthcare providers and healthcare system than they have towards Caucasian people. This, in turn, leads them to seek healthcare information less often than their Caucasian counterparts, thus hindering the provision of quality services, as well as limiting the foreign patients’ ability to manage their health conditions effectively. The foreigners’ failure to easily accept the information provided to them by healthcare providers puts them at risk. Disentangling the role of health literacy in racial healthcare disparities from the effects of racial attitudes and beliefs is often hard (Penner et al,
The diversity among the U.S. population is very large and continue to grow, especially the Hispanic group. More so, health promotion can be defined or perceived in many ways depends on the minority group and their culture beliefs. As health care provider, recognizing and providing cultural competent is very important. In addition, assessing the health disparities among the minority group and teaching them how to promote good health will benefit along the way. Furthermore, health care providers have the role to promote good health but without proper education and acknowledge cultural awareness will be impossible to accomplish.
There has been a rapid growth in minorities in the U.S. particularly the Hispanic/ Latino community. Bureau of Health Professions (2013) studies have shown that with the rapid increase of this culture, Hispanics are not being adequately understood by medical professionals because of underrepresentation within the medical field. The after effects of underrepresentation have caused healthcare issues among this population. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2006) there has been a correlation between patient satisfaction and medical professionals of the same culture.
Having an ethnocentric attitude changes how we view other cultures and limits our capability to be culturally relative to others not a part of our own. Ethnocentrism by definition is the “evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of
Ethnocentrism can be defined as an individual’s belief that the ethnic group or cultural they identify with is superior to all others. “The ethnocentric person judges other groups and other cultures by the standards of his or her own group” (Schaefer 34).
Ethnocentrism is when one culture judge’s another culture by the standard of their own (Health, 2001). Stereotypes, biases, and prejudices against other people are all in a sense a form of ethnocentrism (Astle, Barton, Johnson, & Mill, 2014). It is okay to be proud of your own culture, but you need to remember to do so in such a way, that you are not putting down any other culture (Arnold, 2016).
Despite the substantial developments in diagnostic and treatment processes, there is convincing evidence that ethnic and racial minorities normally access and receive low quality services compared to the majority communities (Lum, 2011). As such, minority groups have higher mortality and morbidity rates arising from both preventable and treatable diseases judged against the majority groups. Elimination of both racial and ethnic disparities is mainly politically sensitive, but plays an important role in the equitable access of services, including the health care ones without discrimination. In addition, accountability, accessibility, and availability of equitable health care services are crucial for the continually growing
When one encounters a culture that has little in common with own, one may experience culture shock. This is a sense of confusion, anxiety, stress and loss one may experience. One of the barriers in effective intercultural communication is ethnocentrism. It stems from a conviction that one’s own cultural traditions and assumptions are superior to those of others. It leads to a tendency to look the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture. It is one of the fastest ways to create a barrier that inhibits, rather than enhances communication (Jandt, 2012).
Ethnocentrism, as stated above, means the belief that one’s own culture is above and beyond all other cultures. Although this is somewhat of a shallow definition, it still provides an adequate explanation of a very complex issue. We see ethnocentrism every single day, in all aspects of life. The United States of America is a prime example of ethnocentrism is action. The people of this country have a tendency to disregard other cultures, instead believing that American culture is the only way to go. This is not to say that this is how everyone thinks, although most people, at one time or another, have had thoughts along these lines.