Adel F. Almutairi
King Abdullah International Research Center, Saudi Arabia
Title: Complexities of Cross-Cultural Interaction in a Multicultural Healthcare Environment: Toward a Promising Approach
Biography
Biography: Adel F. Almutairi
Abstract
Constant change in the demographic profile of many societies around the globe caused by a wide range of factors, such as colonization, immigration, acculturation and the mobility of workforces, contributes to the creation of multicultural environments. Regardless of the degree of pre-existing cultural diversity, people from different cultures bring with them their own languages, values, beliefs, traditions, ethical and moral perspectives, and attitudes to illness, health and healthcare as well as their historical, political and economic circumstances. Such diversity can create difficulties for healthcare providers and patients alike due to the potential for cultural clashes, misunderstandings and discrimination, and individual power differences which eventually will impinge on the health and safety of all the parties involved. In this paper, I will argue that Almutairi’s model of critical cultural competence (CCC) is a promising approach that can address the complexities that arise from cross-cultural interactions in healthcare settings, which ultimately can improve the standard of healthcare for patients, families and the community as a whole. I will close by discussing how his approach can influence organizational policy, orientation programs and continuous professional development initiatives.