Culture can affect many aspects of a patient's visit to their doctor's office, including patient-practitioner communication, adherence to medication, and their need for family support. Follow the link (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/health/16chen.html?_r=2&): Bridging the Culture Gap and read the article. The article focuses on how a doctor can show more consideration to culture. Keeping your selected career in mind, think of actions you can take to decrease the effects of cultural insensitivity with your patients.

Part A:

In paragraph eight, the author mentions the term "cultural competency". Provide a definition of "cultural competency" and list your source (s).

In your own words, describe what "cultural competency" means to you.

Part B:

In paragraph ten, the author mentions the term "cultural context". Provide a definition of "cultural context" and list your source(s).

In your own words, describe what "cultural context" means to you.

Part C:

Re-read the last two paragraphs of the article. The last sentence of the article states, "What you want is the ability to inquire, to ask questions." Pretend you are the medical assistant assessing the two sisters of Chinese descent mentioned at the beginning of the article. What questions would you ask to better understand their culture and how it may affect their medical condition?

What questions would you ask to better understand how their culture may affect their medical condition?