Why is Diversity So Important?

Because cultural diversity affects us all.

Cultural influences shape the framework through which people view the world and operate in their everyday approach to life. Culture impacts the distinct ways people define and organize their lifestyle, guiding beliefs, and basic assumptions about life. Culture is an important guiding force in how individuals live and shape not only their perceptions, but their relationships with people and the world around them. In many cases, individuals will form social and peer groups based on cultural similarities. These cultural groups share values, belief systems, symbols, behavioral patterns, and other characteristics that distinguish them from other groups. Cultural groups can provide a source of belonging, identity, mutual help, validation, and self-esteem.

Furthermore, these cultural groups are not always mutually exclusive, and an individual may hold simultaneous memberships within different groups.

Understanding cultural diversity involves gaining a greater awareness of the ways cultural heritage and background influence values, assumptions, thought processes, and relationships. The process of learning about cultural diversity begins with moving away from a single cultural perspective that devalues differences at the interpersonal, personal, institutional, and cultural levels and moves toward a pluralist cultural perspective that practices acceptance, valuing, utilization, and celebration of both similarities and differences.

In a global business environment, managers and executives will undoubtedly interact with individuals and groups from other cultural backgrounds. One of the most effective ways to achieve an appreciation and understanding of cultural diversity is by taking advantage of opportunities to develop genuine relationships with individuals who are culturally different. Learning about the experiences and perspectives of those who see things through a different cultural framework can be of benefit both professionally and personally.

Inclusion = WIN/WIN

Patient advocacy groups provide valuable insight and are necessary to help patients overcome barriers. The information they provide pharma focuses on the needs and rights of patients worldwide and this helps attain appropriate linguistic and cultural responses. Patient advocacy groups are not only knowledgeable about all facets of drug development including discovery, research, clinical studies and education, but they are dedicated experts on the standards of care, patient needs and the rights of all patients from every possible angle. Drug development impacts the global patient population and patient advocacy groups are mindful of cultural diversity and language as an effective means to educate. The desired result is to treat, cure or fight disease and help patients obtain quality of life instead of suffering or from dying prematurely.

All patient populations could benefit from the collaboration between patient advocacy groups and pharma. Increasingly, patient advocacy groups play a crucial role in educating the marketplace on new medicines and treatments and most purport that drugs should have universal access. Globally, millions of patients represent a myriad of countries with hundreds of languages and thousands of cultures. Such advocacy groups guide us in the fundamental need for addressing patients in their native language and indicate that culture does matter in order to have a positive affect on patient communication. The right kind of communication can only optimize the patient population as a whole.

Pharma has much to gain from the insightfulness of patient advocacy groups. The FDA promotes the value of patient advocates while some pharmaceutical manufacturers rely on their perspective. Pharma would be wise to delve into what these groups imply about inclusion of culturally diverse patient populations when it comes to drug development. Let us not lose sight of the critical role of patient advocacy groups. They offer unparalleled insight and true collaboration means that the pharma companies would act upon their message and implement what is right. This is a valuable partnership. More importantly, it is a huge benefit for the global patient. This is a win-win situation!

MUR

Create Understanding with an Interpreter

For non-native speakers in a foreign country, there may come a time when you need to use an interpreter. Interpreters assist with the accurate communication of ideas between two parties. They can also be very helpful cultural interpreters as well giving either party clarification on actual or potential cultural misunderstandings. If there are problems, do not be afraid to ask the interpreter for advice.

When using an interpreter, there are several items that should be considered:

· If possible, hire an interpreter knowledgeable about the subject to be discussed.

· Speak clearly and slowly.

· Avoid little known words and the use of idioms.

· Explain the main idea of the discussion more than once to make the point clear.

· Speak only a minute or two before allowing the interpreter to speak.

· If necessary, allow the interpreter time to take notes about the dialogue or clarify the meaning of obscure points.

· Do not interrupt the interpreter as they are speaking – misunderstandings could result.

· Avoid using long sentences, double negatives or negative wordings if a positive wording will work.

· Avoid being superfluous.

· Support your verbal message with expressions and gestures.

· To double check understanding, write out the main points discussed and confirm in writing what was agreed to in the discussion.

· Allow the interpreter a break after two hours and consider using a second interpreter if the event will last all day.

Lastly, understand interpreters are people. Understand if they make a mistake, and do not panic if they need to consult a dictionary or if the interpreter covers in 30 seconds what it took the speaker 5 minutes to express. Being patient and deliberate with an interpreter can go a long way and results in a discussion everyone can understand.

When will the medicine kick in?

A recent study in a series by the non-profit Commonwealth Fund showed that while Americans pay far more per capita for healthcare, they are unhappier with the results and less healthy than people in other rich countries. Unhappy because the costs are out of reach; Less healthy because we cannot afford the price of good health. Surely, this resonates with everyone. Our great country can offer so much by way of the most advanced technology, miraculous breakthroughs in medicine and the brightest scholars. But when it comes to health care, no one can deny that conditions are harmful for many, deplorable for the poor and dreadful for minority groups who suffer from more widespread diseases and dismal economic conditions.

An estimated 157 million adults have health insurance through their employer. Another 45 million over 65 and older including the disabled have Medicare coverage. Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 59 million Americans had no insurance for at least some of the beginning of 2010. This is an increase from 58.7 million in 2009 and 56.4 million in 2008. Of those without health insurance, 15 million had high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma. Some of these illnesses are more prevalent in minority groups, which also tend to have higher uninsured rates in the United States.

The problems related to health care costs are insurmountable for many. If we cannot pay for health care, we forego medicine, treatment not to mention prevention. Diseases that go undetected end up costing more and the rate of disease continues to rise. Hospitalizations that could have been avoidable could become the norm, which leads to outrageous costs. The outcomes are disastrous. In addition to unnecessary pain and suffering, the results can be loss of homes or bankruptcy because of unreasonable costs and lack of options. We have grave problems when there are simply fewer funds to maintain one’s health, something necessary for survival. Why does the U.S. lag behind other countries in something so vital? When will we start to feel better?

MUR

Impact for Some, But Not All

According to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, 61% of today’s adults search online for health information compared to the 2000 findings of only 25%, which indicates the increase of online users. Beyond online health queries, social media is a medium that can be advantageous for patients from all backgrounds, but it can be much more useful for minority populations who find doctors to be trustworthy and consider their opinions important. The online impact on decisions or actions is a positive one, but it may prove to be more important for ethnic groups who view the doctor as the absolute authority figure when it comes to health care. The right kind of social networking can make an impact.

Numerous studies reveal disparities among ethnic minority groups with reported higher incidence and chronic health conditions compared to the White population. Therefore, reaching ethnic populations via social media could make a significant impact on their health. Culture is a crucial component of the effectiveness of health care delivery and the high regard for the doctor’s opinion will affect the medical intervention. A physician via a social network would help the patient understand and manage their illness, change risky behaviors and make informed treatment decisions. This could play a major role in medical decisions for some groups such as Hispanics or Asians.

Social media can be a powerful tool between a health care expert and a patient willing to act upon the information to improve his or her health. Patients linked to their doctors seems more effective than random online visits for health queries that need to be deciphered and may or not be the best source of information. The ethnic patient will likely adhere to their doctor’s advice. Social media may be the next best link for non-mainstream populations to impact the health of a minority group not always connected to health care access. Communication is key. The doctor connection is crucial. Social media can help. Let’s stay focused on the goal: to improve the patient’s health. Will social media make an impact?