HSCI 715
Cultural Competency in
Health Sciences
COMPLETED EXAM
2024
, 1. What is the difference between disease and illness according to the medical anthropology perspective?
Provide an example of how culture influences the experience of illness.
- Disease is the biological deviation from normal functioning, while illness is the subjective and social
meaning of the disease. Culture influences the experience of illness by shaping how people interpret their
symptoms, cope with their condition, seek help, and adhere to treatment. For example, some cultures may
view mental illness as a spiritual problem or a stigma, while others may see it as a normal part of life or a
source of creativity.
2. What are some of the benefits and challenges of using a cultural competence approach in health care
delivery? Give two examples of how health care providers can demonstrate cultural competence in practice.
- Cultural competence is the ability to interact effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Some of the benefits of using a cultural competence approach are: improving patient satisfaction, trust, and
adherence; reducing health disparities and inequities; enhancing quality and safety of care; and fostering
mutual respect and learning. Some of the challenges of using a cultural competence approach are:
overcoming stereotypes, biases, and assumptions; dealing with ethical dilemmas and conflicts; adapting to
diverse communication styles and preferences; and managing limited resources and time. Two examples of
how health care providers can demonstrate cultural competence in practice are: asking open-ended questions
and using active listening skills to elicit patients' beliefs, values, and preferences; and providing culturally
appropriate health education and counseling that takes into account patients' literacy, language, and learning
styles.
3. What is the difference between emic and etic perspectives in cross-cultural research on health and illness?
Provide an example of a research question that can be studied from both perspectives.
- Emic perspective is the insider's view of a culture, while etic perspective is the outsider's view of a culture.
Emic perspective focuses on understanding the meanings, values, and norms of a culture from within, while
etic perspective focuses on comparing and contrasting different cultures from without. An example of a
research question that can be studied from both perspectives is: How do people cope with chronic pain in
different cultural contexts?
4. What are some of the factors that influence health-seeking behavior among different cultural groups?
Provide an example of how health care providers can facilitate access to care for culturally diverse
populations.
- Health-seeking behavior is the process of deciding when, where, how, and from whom to seek health care.
Some of the factors that influence health-seeking behavior among different cultural groups are: perceived
severity, cause, and consequences of the health problem; availability, affordability, acceptability, and quality
of health services; social support, stigma, and discrimination; cultural beliefs, values, and practices; and
personal preferences, expectations, and experiences. An example of how health care providers can facilitate
access to care for culturally diverse populations is: collaborating with community leaders, organizations, and
Cultural Competency in
Health Sciences
COMPLETED EXAM
2024
, 1. What is the difference between disease and illness according to the medical anthropology perspective?
Provide an example of how culture influences the experience of illness.
- Disease is the biological deviation from normal functioning, while illness is the subjective and social
meaning of the disease. Culture influences the experience of illness by shaping how people interpret their
symptoms, cope with their condition, seek help, and adhere to treatment. For example, some cultures may
view mental illness as a spiritual problem or a stigma, while others may see it as a normal part of life or a
source of creativity.
2. What are some of the benefits and challenges of using a cultural competence approach in health care
delivery? Give two examples of how health care providers can demonstrate cultural competence in practice.
- Cultural competence is the ability to interact effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds.
Some of the benefits of using a cultural competence approach are: improving patient satisfaction, trust, and
adherence; reducing health disparities and inequities; enhancing quality and safety of care; and fostering
mutual respect and learning. Some of the challenges of using a cultural competence approach are:
overcoming stereotypes, biases, and assumptions; dealing with ethical dilemmas and conflicts; adapting to
diverse communication styles and preferences; and managing limited resources and time. Two examples of
how health care providers can demonstrate cultural competence in practice are: asking open-ended questions
and using active listening skills to elicit patients' beliefs, values, and preferences; and providing culturally
appropriate health education and counseling that takes into account patients' literacy, language, and learning
styles.
3. What is the difference between emic and etic perspectives in cross-cultural research on health and illness?
Provide an example of a research question that can be studied from both perspectives.
- Emic perspective is the insider's view of a culture, while etic perspective is the outsider's view of a culture.
Emic perspective focuses on understanding the meanings, values, and norms of a culture from within, while
etic perspective focuses on comparing and contrasting different cultures from without. An example of a
research question that can be studied from both perspectives is: How do people cope with chronic pain in
different cultural contexts?
4. What are some of the factors that influence health-seeking behavior among different cultural groups?
Provide an example of how health care providers can facilitate access to care for culturally diverse
populations.
- Health-seeking behavior is the process of deciding when, where, how, and from whom to seek health care.
Some of the factors that influence health-seeking behavior among different cultural groups are: perceived
severity, cause, and consequences of the health problem; availability, affordability, acceptability, and quality
of health services; social support, stigma, and discrimination; cultural beliefs, values, and practices; and
personal preferences, expectations, and experiences. An example of how health care providers can facilitate
access to care for culturally diverse populations is: collaborating with community leaders, organizations, and
