HSC Discussion 3.docx - Part I: We have all experienced...

Part I:

We have all experienced interactions with individuals who
may have a different background than us. Please share an
example or experience where a diverse perspective was or
was not considered during such an interaction. What was
the result?
Whiles working side by side with a physiatrist, I cam across a Muslim woman
who was attending her appointment alone. Of course, the doctor that she
was seeing was a male and that was explained to her as well as she agreed
to see him for the first time. What we did not take into consideration at that
time was how the patient was going to react once her knee was going to
have to be examined. I h ad stepped out of the room to prep another patient
for their appointment while the doctor spoke to the patient who at this point
had her husband on the speaker phone. The doctor mentioned that he would
have to take a look at her knee and was asking if it was ok if she would
expose her knee. Due to a language, cultural, and nonvisual barrier, the
husband got angry and assumed that the doctor wanted the patient to
undress without anyone being there, when in reality, he just needed her to
pull up her pant leg and I, a female, would also be present. In the moment,
both the doctor and I did not see where we went wrong especially after the
patient refused to be seen. During a discussion, we realized that maybe we
should have asked her to put her husband on a video call so that she would
be more comfortable, and he would also be able to maybe let her know that
it was ok for her knee to be assessed. As a result, the patient left without
receiving the appropriate diagnosis nor care as she was not willing to
cooperate with our practices of assessing her knee. Even after be reassured
that she would be in the presence of a female and her husband can stay on
the phone she was not willing to understand why we were asking. It was
unfortunate and as I mentioned, we could have gone about things
differently, however, understanding and communication has to come from
both parties in order for treatment to be effective.
Part II:
In what ways does a health care organization demonstrate it is open
to diversity and diverse views within its organization?

manner. Letting patients see that they are surround by people who look like