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Have you ever been in a situation as a healthcare provider (nurse, doctor, therapist, etc.) where cultural understanding really impacted patient care? If yes, what did you learn from it?

I love my culture. Being Arab is a big part of my identity and something I love to share with others. Currently I am a senior in high school and the president of ASO, a safe space for students to learn more about Middle Eastern culture-whether they are Arab or not. ASO is one of the best choices I've made, and I have changed significantly with the creation of it. I am able to share my traditions, customs, and my favorite Arab singers, songs, games, with others too! I was able to create an inclusive club that supports the Arab students at my high school.

Tying to supporting, I'm hoping to become a nurse in the future. This has been my passion for many years now as I see how they are one of the foundations of health care with how hard they work and dedicated they are.

But one question I ask myself is: How can I tie both my culture and my future job (hopefully) together?

This is why I am asking this question. I want to know if anyone in the healthcare industry has every experienced a moment where sharing their culture, representing it, or just bringing it up in general, made an impact on a patient or another healthcare provider. I hope with everyone's help and comments, I may answer my question. :) Thank you for reading!

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Ebony’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team

Hi Assma,

Thanks for such a thoughtful question! I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. From what I've seen, directly sharing my culture hasn't often been key to helping clients reach their healing goals. However, many clients do look for therapists who they feel share a similar culture or beliefs. This creates a safe space where they can talk about things they might not feel comfortable sharing otherwise. It's interesting because it's not just Black/African American clients who seek this connection with me. I've had the pleasure of meeting people from all sorts of backgrounds, each with their own reasons for thinking I'd be the right fit for them, even before knowing my credentials or experience.

Sometimes, just being present with all our unique qualities is a big part of connecting with people in our work, which makes it very rewarding.

I hope this answers your question. Congratulations in advance on the impact you will have with your future patients!

Best,
Ebony
Thank you comment icon Hi Ms. Ebony! Thank you for replying to my message it means a lot to me. :) I don’t know a lot about therapists and counselors, but I know that they play a vital role in society and I thank you for all that you do! I love the point you made about being present with our qualities. I believe that sometimes knowing a person has a similar culture or understanding can take the pressure off lots of things. Thank you again for responding :) Assma
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Perry’s Answer

Hi Assma,

For some reason I am just seeing this today. ?

Now, Ebony wrote: <<< From what I've seen, directly sharing my culture hasn't often been key to helping clients reach their healing goals >>>

I want to underscore this.

I am Jewish. I have been an MD-physician for over 40 years.

When I see a patient, all I see is a patient. A human being. They all have, we all have human symptoms, signs, vital signs, Labs, etc. Human conditions needing the same human treatment. I am blind to the other stuff and I don’t bring it up. That could even harm things; you just don’t know. I approach each patient the same. This way they all get the same care, the best care that I can deliver.

However, if a patient wants to bring up their culture and/or my culture, if they initiate the topic, then I am happy to respect their request and spend a minute or two sharing positive persectives, time allowing. It could definitely help them. But even then, without losing sight of the professional nature of our relationship; in your case it will be RN and patient. You will be busy. Not a chit-chat friendship; that could distract from you delivering your best care. I should add that sometimes a patient may sense your natural enthusiasm to discuss your background and for various harmful reasons may try to manipulate you into venturing off into that topic to distract you.

RNs are as wonderful and as central to patient care as you say.

You seem to be a positive, compassionate, caring person; these will help make you an outstanding medical professional should you stay on that path.

That said, it all starts and ends with the science. The science you will learn in your education, and the science you will then be applying with each patient. Nothing is more central than that.

I hope this helps.

Please ask me any more questions you have.

Perry
Thank you comment icon Hello Perry! Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I understand what you mean that "it all starts and ends with science." That is the main goal of the healthcare pathway, to help patients and move on. Oh wow I think it is interesting that a patient may attempt to manipulate someone into going off topic. I haven't thought of it that way before. Thank you for all your hard work as a MD-Physician, and thank you for sharing your background :) I will take your comment into consideration to answer my question, thank you again! Assma
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