Comparison: Medical Care and CULTURALCARE
Medical Care CULTURALCARE
Definition “The art and science of the diagnosis and treatment of disease and the maintenance of health”
Professional health care that is culturally sensitive, culturally appropriate, and culturally competent
Goals Prevention of disease and injury and promotion and maintenance of health
Relief of pain and suffering caused by maladies Care and CURE of those with a malady and care of those who cannot be cured
Avoidance of premature death and pursuit of a peaceful death
Provision of care that is culturally sensitive—the provider possesses some basic knowledge of and constructive attitudes toward the health traditions observed among the diverse cultural groups found in the setting in which he or she is practicing
Culturally appropriate—the provider applies the underlying background knowledge that must be possessed to provide a patient with the best possible health care
Culturally competent—within the delivered care, the provider understands and attends to the total context of the patient’s situation and it is a complex combination of knowledge, attitudes, and skills