Program for Multicultural Health: Cultural Competency Update

We welcome your feedback on this new e-mail format. cultural.competency@umich.edu

Cultural Competency Update

A monthly communication from the University of Michigan Health System's
Program for Multicultural Health's
Cultural Competency Division

In this Issue (April 2006)


	CCQ: Medical Anthropology MHG: Hinduism and Health New Web Links: From the Cultural Competency Division In the Spotlight: Interpreter Services National News: Commonwealth Foundation, KFF, & RWJF

CCQ (Cultural Competency Question)


	Q: Where can I find information on medical anthropology? A: http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/ccp/culcomp.htm#anthro


MHG (Multicultural Health Generalization)

	Although the following information may apply to some individuals, this is not to infer these are beliefs and/or practices of the majority of this population.

	In recognition of Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, this MHG focuses on Hinduism. Rama Navami is celebrated on the 9th day of the Hindu month Chaitra; this year on April 6, 2006.

	Hinduism and Health
	Hindu Health Beliefs/Practices Hinduism: Religious Beliefs and Practices Affecting Health Care Hindu Beliefs and Practices Affecting Health Care * For additional Multicultural Health Generalizations, please visit: http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/ccp/bmhg.htm



New Web Links (From the Cultural Competency Division)

	Ethnic Elders Care Network Ethnomed Patient Education Resources U.S. Food and Drug Administration: My Medicines When An Infant Dies: Cross Cultural Expressions of Grieving and Loss



In the Spotlight (An excerpt from this participant's 1st Annual Cultural Competency Exchange application.)

	To learn more about last year's Exchange or this year's (April 25, 2006) 2nd Annual Exchange, please visit http://www.med.umich.edu/multicultural/ccp/CCE.htm



	Interpreter Services

	The primary goal of a medical interpreter is to facilitate communication and understanding between the patient and provider, who speak different languages, which assists in the delivery of effective health care. Interpreter Services trains its interpreters to be Cultural Brokers. Cultural Brokers provide the necessary cultural framework for understanding the message being interpreted. The interpreter takes this role when cultural differences are leading to a misunderstanding on the part of either provider or patient. Interpreters are present at over 14,000 patient appointments, tests/procedures and inpatient interactions annually and provide interpretation for 39 different languages. They assist all staff who have contact with patients - from doctors, to techs, to customer service personnel. http://www.med.umich.edu/interpreter



National News (Commonwealth Foundation, KFF, & RWJF)

	Hand Hygiene Buttons - Now Available in 10 Languages! Joint Commission Resources, Inc. March 2006 http://www.jcrinc.com/generic.asp?durki=10797 Using Telehealth to Reduce Disparities and Improve Care in Rural Communities Commonwealth Foundation March 2006 http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=360830#issue Case Study: University of Tennessee Health Science Center's Telehealth Network Commonwealth Foundation March 2006 http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=360830#casestudy Race, Ethnicity and Health Care Reference Library Kaiser Family Foundation March 2006 http://www.kaiseredu.org/topics_reflib.asp?id=329&parentid=67&rID=1 Patients' Attitudes Toward Health Care Providers Collecting Information About Their Race and Ethnicity Commonwealth Foundation March 10, 2006 http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=333638&#doc333638 University of California-Davis Offers Course Addressing Cultural Beliefs and Pain Management Robert Wood Johnson Foundation March 13, 2006 http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?id=3113&iaid=133 Las Vegas Hospital Launches Center to Educate Staff About Latino Culture, Improve Care Robert Wood Johnson Foundation March 13, 2006 http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?id=3115&iaid=133 Routine Care is Typically 'Mediocre' for Patients Regardless of Race, Income Level Robert Wood Johnson Foundation March 17, 2006 http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?id=3137&iaid=133 African-American Breast Cancer Patients Have Higher Mortality Rates, Fewer Post-Surgical Treatments Than Whites Robert Wood Johnson Foundation March 24, 2006 http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=3171 CMS Announces Locations for Demonstration Project to Improve Minority Cancer Care Robert Wood Johnson Foundation March 27, 2006 http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=3178 Connecticut Program Works to Help Chronically Ill Latinos Navigate U.S. Health Care System Robert Wood Johnson Foundation March 28, 2006 http://www.rwjf.org/portfolios/features/digest.jsp?iaid=133&id=3187



Feedback

	We welcome your feedback on this new e-mail format.



	(Printer-friendly version) Cultural Competency Division Brochure	Phone: 734.615.0593 E-mail: cultural.competency@umich.edu
		Cultural Competency Division, PMCH 2600 Green Road, Suite 150-C Ann Arbor, MI 48105-0792