Question

Explain why culture and ethnic must be considered when conducting an interview. How might you handle a client who is from a different ethnic background from you and believes that you cannot possibly understand what he/she is saying to you?

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Answer 1

While conducting an interview, it is very important that the medical professional should be having some knowledge about the culture from which the patient hails. Prior knowledge about the culture of the patient allows us to get a better understanding of the problems that he might be facing, in the view of his culture. This gives a comprehensive view if the personality of the person. Also, while interviewing, this would allow the practitioner to ask questions that fall within the bounds of the culture, so that no cultural sentiments would be hurt. It is very important to realise that the culture of a person is very deeply rooted in his personality, and thus any question that might be hurting the cultural sentiment should be avoided.

A client who is from a different background might sometime feel uncomfortable or reluctant in being taken care from a practitioner of a different culture. There might be a number of reasons for the same, including communication problems or mistrust that the practitioner may not be able to understand every aspect of their culture or the person might be prejudiced. There could be any reason, none of which could be assumed. Though, in any of the case, it has to be acknowledged that the patient is already in a vulnerable state of mind, and in such a state if they are making any request, it has to be acknowledged. Hence, if the patient will not be comfortable in a different ethnicity person being able to treat them, I might first try to assure them or convince them that u am aware if their culture and will be competent enough to treat them. If been then they are not convinced, I would appoint someone if their ethnicity to serve them.