Leela R. Magavi, MD, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist.
Tom Cotter, MPH, is the director of emergency response at Project Hope.
The editorials authorsMelanie Tervalon, MD, and Jann Murray-Garcia, MDcalled for providers toembrace cultural humility.
This novel idea resonated with McGee-Avilas own experiences with underserved communities.
I think that makes you a better clinician.
But McGee-Avila and other experts believe that cultural humility may be an important part of the solution.
Cathy Hung, DDS, is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon as well as the author of “Pulling Wisdom: Filling Gaps of Cross-Cultural Communication for Healthcare Providers.”
What is cultural humility and how is it practiced?
The backbone of cultural humility is asking questions and actively trying to learn from patients.
That starts with getting to know the patient and their background, asking questions, and not making assumptions.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
However, these differences when taught in textbooks are often simplistic and may inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes.
Sometimes this will mean bringing in quality, trained interpreters, he says.
Other times, it may mean triangulating communications more carefully while maintaining the dignity of the patient.
In their original paper, Drs.
What are the broader implications of cultural humility?
Cathy Hung, DDS, is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon as well as the author of “Pulling Wisdom: Filling Gaps of Cross-Cultural Communication for Healthcare Providers.”
Cultural humility isnt theoretical; the consequences of not practicing it are serious.
Cotter says that providers who dont practice cultural humility risk alienating patients or failing to communicate with them appropriately.
When it comes to health-care, cultural humility can mean the difference between life and death, he says.
(Leepassed away in 2012, 26 years after the grand mal seizure that damaged her brain.)
That could go a long way towards addressing some of the causes of health disparities.
Cultural humility, many experts argue, isa way to begin the healing process.
Because all patients deserve the best possible care.
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