Health Care and Cultural Understanding within the Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian Communities 1
Who We Are The Arab-American Family Support Center is a non-profit organization that empowers new immigrants with the tools they need to successfully acclimate to the world around them and become active participants in their communities. 2
Welcome /Goal Participate in a conversation about culture, trauma and their impact on health how caring professionals identities impact their work Approach: Cultural humility framework to better engage one another 3
Do No Harm! Discussion can be challenging and identities are personal respect each other and practice self-care Some materials might be sensitive and triggering, so practice self-care Not all identities are visible and many are more complex than you may think avoid assumptions Always feel free to pass, if you are not comfortable sharing Allow for different voices 4
Identity The Process The Evolution Worldview Belonging 5
What is Culture A critical definition of culture refers to shared experiences or commonalities that have developed and continue to evolve in relation to changing social and political contexts. (Source: Sujata Warrier) 6
Based on: Race Ethnicity National Origin Religion Gender, Gender Identity Age Class Language Disability Status Immigration Status Education Geographic location (space) Rural Urban Time Historical Context of oppression, occupation, colonialism, and war 7
Let s Practice What contributes to my cultural identity? Perceived Evolved and Acquired Personal sense of cultural identity 8
Let s Practice Common assumptions about me? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuo59emi3eo 9
Let s Practice 10
Let s Practice 11
Let s Practice 12
Culture and Trauma Culture is related directly to experiences of trauma and the journey of resilience. Culture also shapes an individual s: Ability to access help and support services. Assumptions about the role of the health system. 13
Cultural Humility Walk the talk of cultural humility: The ability to understand and communicate effectively with people across different, intersectional cultural groups. 14
Cultural Humility Knowledge Attitude Awareness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx4ia-jatnq 15
When working with patients When working with patients it is vital to consider and connect his/her/their experiences and values to: Family Community Social support Social networks Structural experiences Messages 16
When working with patients Professional Affiliation Place of Worship Home Work Patients S.S. org Friends School Healthcare provider 17
When working with patientscontinued When working with patients, it is important to consider individuals on many different levels: Understand the relationship between the psychological and social dynamics of a person (psychosocial). See individuals as complex, dynamic beings, with capacity for innovation and resilience. Avoid generalization 18
Some Background Arab does not equal Muslim Arabs are also: Christian, Druze, and Jews. Pew Research Center estimates that Muslims made up about 1% of the total U.S. population (about 322 million people in 2015), and estimates that the number will double by 2050. (Pew Research Center) Over half of the projected growth of the American Muslim population from 2010 to 2015 is due to immigration. (Pew Research Center) 19
Cultural Norms /Challenges Cultural regional Norms /Challenges for the AMEMSA communities: Food and other substance are believed to play a role in health and wealth 20
Cultural Norms /Challenges Other causes of illness is associated with exposure to cold, sudden fear, emotional upset 21
Cultural Norms /Challenges The common believe that whatever happens it is accordance with God s plan 22
Cultural Norms /Challenges Fear of seeking help from psychiatrists because of the stigma associated with mental illness 23
Cultural Norms /Challenges Preventive care is usually not practiced ( sometimes, people complain that the doctor didn t do enough to help) 24
Cultural Norms /Challenges Family members accompanying patients to the hospital 25
Obstacles for Immigrants Language Barriers Immigration Status Trust in the health system Not having the support network needed (Isolation) Cultural misconceptions 26
Modesty in Islam Rules of modesty are for both men and women Modesty between genders is a critical guideline that impacts dress, verbal, and nonverbal communication. Hijab refers to scarf that covers a woman s hair (not all Muslim women wear the Hijab). Some women may also cover their faces with a veil called Niqb, or wear an outer robe over their clothing called Abaya. 27
Modesty in Islam- Continued It is important to note that dress varies greatly across cultures and individuals. Many Muslim women don t cover their hair and covering the hair is not an indicator of one s religiosity. Many Muslims follow dietary rules in their consumption of meat and alcohol. Pork and alcohol are not permitted, and meat must be halal. 28
Things to Consider Consider prayer time, fasting and religious holidays when making appointments. (Muslim Holidays: Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha are the two main holidays in Islam. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, from dawn until sunset. Eid ul Fitr is a celebration to mark the end of the month. For some people from the region, it is impolite sometimes to directly say no. Eye contact Hand shake 29
What can we do? Ask simplified questions Be tolerant of non-responsiveness Avoid medical terms when possible or if necessary use plain language Allow for silence before answering Meet the patient where they are at, and allow them to educate you about their cultural identify Be transparent 30
Thank you! 31