Gender and Cultural Differences in Healthcare Communications

              When one works with others, one has to understand the basics of communication with a diverse group of individuals. Respect the differences of people is important. Some individuals for instance feel the importance of cordialities with, ‘good morning’, or ‘hello’; others lack recognition that this could be considered rude. When working with families and caregivers, healthcare providers have to set aside differences, bias, and judgment with communication regardless of the situation, to provide care.

Gender Difference

              “The problem between men and woman is the workplace is not the fact that they play by different rules…The problem is that they don’t know the rules” (Ridderbusch, 2006). Glaser does not advocate adapting to the opposite culture, but both sexes should focus on strengths talents, intelligence, intuition, and social graces individual specific gender (Ridderbusch, 2006). Using objectivity with conversations will dramatically help improve communication. Women need to get to the point quicker, and men need to be patient when women want to build, “common ground” (Lieberman, Better communication between men in women in the workplace: some useful tips, n. d.). Men and women need to get past the incompatibility and work to meet in the middle.   

Cultural Differences

                Organizations have an adopted set of values, or cultures. Employees should be unique on some level and not like mindedness because the organization risks “stagnation” (du Pré, 2005). Stereotypes are formulated based upon the culture (du Pré, 2005). The diversity of groups leads to each group working and lunching with the same group. When asked to participate in a team, the best way to combat the creation of cliques is to become familiar with the other cultures. When creating the charter for the team it is mandatory to incorporate organizational culture.

              Co-workers

              With co-workers, since everyone is different creates difficulty at times, “While divorcing spouses is an option, divorcing co-workers is not possible” (Ridderbusch, 2006) Members need to “analyze your own biases….unconscious assumptions” (du Pré, 2005). Women are treated differently when emotions are not as balanced on a regular basis. Women need to connect to others through relationship building (Lieberman, n.d.). The role of a man is one of superiority and when a female is the boss there are times when the man does not respect the position the female is in.

Recognizing and identifying gender and cultures have a unique set of skills is important. Identify what the each member is good at, and assigning the tasks that best suit the skills helps to set aside differences.

              Managers

              Managers in regards to communication in organizations and teams, have important roles. In a group a manager may not be in the position of the leader and step out of the role to be a team player. In the role of the team lead, the manager has to keep the manager role out of the team. The manager has a unique challenge of making sure the team is responsible for work completion, in and out of the team. Managers need to lead by example. Managers should never assume in regards to communication.

              Patients

              Patients require an understanding about health related conditions as it relates to the patient. Patients are diverse in their understanding about medicine. The role of direct care employees is diverse with the individual professions (du Pré, 2005). The roles are in a hierarchal order, and communicate with the patients on different levels as it relates to the profession. Different styles of communication exist with cultural expectations. Some cultures are in charge of making medically related decisions. Some cultures do not see a female physician as an acceptable option. Sometimes men do not feel comfortable with women as a doctor. There is a fine line when physical touch feels wrong when this type of relationship exists for both sexes. Cultural sensitivity training and through dialogue will eliminate any barriers to care. When the health professionals accurately, and in laymen’s terms explain the diagnosis, how it was caused, what can be done, and the healthcare workers providing care for the patient decreases the stress,

… healthcare providers need to establish rapport with the patient and family and tailor communication with them on the basis of that knowledge. Within the domain of decision making, participants emphasized having a sense of control over treatment choices. Participants indicated that relationship-centered care, in which the patient's sense of personhood is sought, acknowledged, and worked with, is foundational for effective communication and decision making (Williams SW, 2008).                                                                                                                        Patients stress levels go through the roof when the possibility of death, becomes real. Being sick causes worry, for the patient, the family, and the caregiver.

              Families and Care Givers             

Healthcare teams, families, and caregivers need to be on the same page. Life and death decisions, regarding are reasons to be in agreement. Without unity can create high costs, and strain relationships between these groups. The relationship with the family is just as important as the patient. If the family is unsure, and lacks faith, and trust in the healthcare, it will increase the stress level of the patient. Some times quality of life is not a factor for some families as survival in comfort is. The team and family need to establish goals, milestones, and when reevaluation should be done to eliminate worry.

Conclusion

Effective communication skills are a must for everyone, and healthcare is held to a higher expectation. While everyone is unique, healthcare is not. Healthcare is complicated, complex, and has its own language. Healthcare providers of all types need to be able to convey. Respecting a manager, a patient, and families are vital for providing care. Inclusion in the process and patience’s given to understand the information conveyed, without judgment and prejudice will reduce stress for the all. Healthcare decisions at times are not easy to make for patients and families. Conveying information as important as ones health has to be done efficiently, and without arrogance. The patient centered method is the only way to go. 

References

du Pré, A. (2005). Culture and Diversity in Health Organizations Chapter 9. In Communicating About Health: Current Issues and Perspectives (2 ed., p. 242). McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Lieberman, S. (n.d.). Better communication between men in women in the workplace: some useful tips. Retrieved May 26, 2009, from hodu.com: http://www.hodu.com/business-communication.4.shtml

Ridderbusch, K. (2006, November 3). Bridging the Gender Gap . Retrieved May 27, 2009, from Connie Glaser: Handelsblatt : http://www.connieglaser.com/articles_handelsblatt.html

Williams SW, H. L. (2008). Improving healthcare communication and quality of life of black patients with cancer monthly summaries of nursing research: january 2009. ( J Palliat Med (11)1221-1226) Retrieved May 29, 2009, from Medscape Today: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/586952_2