A group of health-care workers at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center were taught yesterday a few simple things that could make a big difference for some patients.
To a Somali woman, and perhaps others with the same cultural or religious background, it's disrespectful to use finger gestures to get attention. Try to use your right hand to give food or medication, as using your left hand may be considered impolite.
And, don't forget, a simple smile can go a long way.
As part of its ongoing cultural-awareness efforts, the hospital held a Thursday lecture on Somali women's health-care needs.
Guest speaker Tasneem Rahman, co-founder of nonprofit One Ummah Foundation, discussed the women's ways of communicating, their practices in Islam, social structures and beliefs pertaining to health.
"You all want to learn how to best help these patients that are coming through your doors," she said to the crowd. "So I want to bring both of these together – your want and a little bit of my knowledge – and hopefully we get the better outcomes for the whole health system here."
Sister Lynda Thompson, the hospital's mission integration director and diversity committee chair, said these classes help health professionals know their patients better in order to ease their way through treatment.
"We try to help people become familiar with other people's world view, as well as their customs, what's important to them and simple things that we can do," she said.
The hospital holds diversity events every month or so. Though they're usually geared toward health-care workers, the events are open to the public.
Source: www.oregonlive.com
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