Cultural competency

How does cultural competency occur? What can one do to become culturally aware? Describe an effective approach to using The Purnell Model when working with subcultures (immigration status, gender, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, educational status, etc.).

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Sample Answer

Cultural competency is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from different cultures. It is a lifelong process that requires ongoing learning and self-reflection.

There are many things that one can do to become culturally aware. Here are a few tips:

  • Educate yourself about different cultures. This can be done by reading books, articles, and websites about different cultures. You can also attend cultural events and talk to people from different cultures.
  • Be open-minded and willing to learn. Don’t make assumptions about people based on their culture. Be willing to listen to their experiences and learn about their values.
  • Be respectful of different cultures. This means being mindful of cultural differences and avoiding behaviors that could be considered offensive.
  • Be aware of your own cultural biases. We all have biases, but it’s important to be aware of them so that we can avoid letting them influence our interactions with others.

Full Answer Section

The Purnell Model is a framework for understanding and responding to cultural differences. It is based on eight dimensions of culture:

  • Communication style: How people communicate, including their body language, eye contact, and use of silence.
  • Family roles and responsibilities: How families are structured and how they make decisions.
  • Environmental control: How people view their environment and how they manage their personal space.
  • Health beliefs and practices: How people view health and illness and how they seek medical care.
  • Time orientation: How people view time and how they plan and schedule activities.
  • Biocultural assessment: How people’s physical and mental health are influenced by their culture.
  • Spiritual beliefs and practices: How people view spirituality and how it influences their lives.
  • Linguistic competence: How people speak and understand language.

The Purnell Model can be used to guide our interactions with people from different cultures. By understanding the different dimensions of culture, we can be more sensitive to the needs and preferences of others.

When working with subcultures, it is important to be aware of the unique challenges that they face. For example, immigrants may face language barriers, discrimination, and a lack of access to resources. People with different political beliefs may have different values and beliefs about what is important. And people with different socioeconomic statuses may have different experiences with poverty, unemployment, and access to healthcare.

By being aware of these challenges, we can be more supportive and understanding of people from different subcultures. We can also work to create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone.

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