Introduction
To promote the solution of global health issues, several programs and foundations are created regularly. Some programs turn out to be successful steps in preventing dangerous diseases, and some campaigns can lead to unpredictable failure. In this paper, the analysis of several case studies about cultural competence will be discussed to clarify how to achieve positive results and reduce the wasting of resources.
Things to Learn
After reading several case studies about culture and its impact on the development of different plans and guidelines, I have learned three important lessons.
Resource Wasting
Sometimes, people cannot even understand why and when they waste resources. It usually happens because of the lack of knowledge (Unite for Sight, 2015). Therefore, lifelong education important despite professional growth, and experience is the first thing to learn.
Sanitation
Many cultures are exposed to poor waste and sanitation, and about 40% of the global population cannot improve the conditions under which they have to live (Skolnik, 2016). Though it is easy to introduce solutions and offer options (Lincoln, 2011; USAID, 2011), not all organizations pay their attention to the financial aspects of the population. Not all people can allow buying expensive tools and technologies to protect themselves against environmental harm. Healthcare workers must think about the impact of culture and race on the financial status of potential users.
Cultural Sensitivity
It is a real discovery for me that traditions can determine the process of vaccination so much. The first case study helps me learn how to use cultural beliefs and convince people to take the correct steps. Vaccination has to be promoted among the population, and if respect to traditions has to be demonstrated, it cannot be neglected.
Things to Use in Practice
Several interesting approaches are introduced in the case studies under analysis.
Open Communication
In their intentions to study ordinary people, healthcare workers forget about personal doubts, cultural preferences, and community values. To overcome communication barriers is an important practice (Anderson, Scrimshaw, Fullilove, Fielding, & Normand, 2003). However, not all people are ready to support open communication. I want to apply this approach to my practice to explain how to communicate properly and demonstrate true intentions and goals.
Technological and Cultural Controversies
Sometimes, people are so eager to help each other that they completely forget about the existing differences in access to resources and knowledge. To improve my practice, I want to pay more attention to technological progress in different countries. This step can help me think about the opportunities that can be available to a particular nation at a local but not global level.
Importance Concern
There is one thing that makes me think about the appropriateness and effectiveness of the chosen program. In the second case, certain attention is paid to education and prevention of HIV/AIDS. It is said that many women have not used or even seen condoms before (Unite for Sight, 2015). Nothing is said about the experience of men. Still, if there is a goal to protect the population, both men and women have to be educated. I hope that this division is just some kind of mistakenly made decision that can be improved soon.
Conclusion
In general, the four chosen case studies about the impact of culture and the necessity to develop guidelines and learning campaigns for different people contain some lessons and important aspects for consideration. Sometimes, it is not easy for international policymakers to observe all problems and understand potential obstacles. Much attention should be paid to the evaluation of the existing cultural values and personal beliefs when healthcare education is provided at the international level.
References
Anderson, L. M., Scrimshaw, S. C., Fullilove, M. T., Fielding, J. E, & Normand, J. (2003). Culturally competent healthcare systems: A systematic review.American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 24(3), 68-79. Web.
Lincoln, E. S. (2011). How project managers learn cultural competence to manage multicultural project teams. Web.
Skolnik, R. (2016). Global health 101 (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Unite for Sight. (2015). Case studies: Cultural competency in action.Web.
USAID. (2011). Project design guidance.Web.