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May 11, 2022 IntroductionCase investigators and contact tracers must understand and adapt to the culture of people with COVID-19 and their close contacts to conduct effective interviews and follow-up. Culture refers to the learned and shared behavior of a community of people who interact with one another. A person’s culture may be influenced by a several factors, including those listed in the image below.Culture helps shape a person’s values, relationships, and understanding of the world around them. For example, some cultures may have different attitudes or beliefs about COVID-19 transmission, vaccination, or treatment. Culture may affect a person’s willingness to identify close contacts or provide a description of those contacts. It may also affect how a person understands and communicates their symptoms, or influence their beliefs about authority figures, healthcare professionals, and public health. Some residents may mistrust government and public health systems because of injustices they have faced and continue to experience. It’s important that case investigators and contact tracers acknowledge existing fears and concerns, and work with residents to build trust. This brief overviews the four elements of cross-cultural communication, as well as key principles for inclusive communication. Case investigators and contact tracers should check with their agency for additional resources or support systems to promote culturally inclusive communication. Four Elements of Cross-Cultural CommunicationWhen interacting with people of different cultures, case investigators and contact tracers should:
Let’s ReflectThink about how you would describe yourself to a stranger. What characteristics or qualities would you mention? They may be a mix of qualities that you are born with (e.g., gender, race) or roles that you play (e.g., occupation, marital status). How did you decide which characteristics best describe you? How do these characteristics influence what is important to you? What are the advantages or disadvantages of being who you are in your personal life? In your professional life? Key Principles for Inclusive CommunicationWhen communicating with people with COVID-19 and their close contacts, some key principles to keep in mind include:
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When a person considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture?Ethnocentrism, as sociologist William Graham Sumner (1906) described the term, involves a belief or attitude that one's own culture is better than all others. Almost everyone is a little bit ethnocentric.
When one person imposes his or her beliefs values and practices on another because he or she believe his or her ideals are superior?Communications and Documentation. When you're communicating with an older patient it is important to remember that?Listen without interrupting the patient. Speak slowly, clearly and loudly. Use short, simple words and sentences. Stick to one topic at a time.
What is included in the narrative section of a PCR?Include information like statements from the patient, a description of the surroundings, and medical observations. Make sure the narrative is structured in a logical order and include treatment and transport decisions.
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