Learn five tips on how to help patients from different cultures understand and manage digestive diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

When it comes to taking into account cultural diversification, Dietitians should be willing to design diet regimens that accommodate vegan or vegetarian inclinations. Plant-based diets have a long history in many civilizations. Combining 2 or more plant proteins to increase the nutritional value is a good strategy. Also, we need to consider typical dietary intolerances and allergies and adjust the diet chart accordingly. This is particularly crucial because various cultural groups may exhibit distinct allergy patterns.

How can you help patients from different cultures understand the importance of managing digestive diseases?

Digestive diseases are conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. These diseases can cause chronic symptoms such as pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and heartburn, and affect the quality of life of patients. Managing digestive diseases often requires a combination of medication, diet, lifestyle, and psychological support. However, patients from different cultures may have different beliefs, preferences, and barriers that influence their understanding and adherence to the recommended treatments. As a patient advocate, you can help patients from different cultures understand the importance of managing digestive diseases by following these tips.

1 Respect cultural diversity

The first step to help patients from different cultures is to respect their cultural diversity and avoid making assumptions or judgments based on stereotypes. Cultural diversity encompasses not only ethnicity, race, and language, but also religion, values, norms, customs, and practices. Each patient has a unique cultural identity that shapes their worldview, health beliefs, and behaviors. You can show respect for cultural diversity by using appropriate and inclusive language, asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and acknowledging differences and similarities.

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Farah Diba

Clinical Dietitian, Nutritionist, MPH (BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health), Nutritionist- STS Group, Ex- Labaid Cancer Hospital, Ex- Popular Medical College Hospital
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Recognizing and considering the dietary preferences, limitations, and customs of various cultures is essential to respect cultural diversity while designing a diet for managing digestive diseases. It is necessary to be aware of any religious or cultural dietary restrictions and to ensure that the diet chart aligns with these guidelines. Also understanding the staple foods, common cooking methods, and traditional meal structures is a must. We need to consider cultural norms related to meal timing and frequency as well.

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2 Assess cultural needs

The second step to helping patients from different cultures is to assess their cultural needs and preferences regarding their digestive disease management. You can use tools such as the LEARN model (Listen, Explain, Acknowledge, Recommend, and Negotiate) and the C-LARA model (Calm, Listen, Affirm, Respond, and Add) to guide your communication and education. Some of the cultural needs and preferences you should assess include the patient's understanding of their digestive disease, expectations for management, trust in health care providers and system, sources of information and support, dietary and lifestyle habits, religious and spiritual beliefs, and access to complementary therapies. Assessing these needs can provide valuable insights into how best to support the patient.

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3 Provide culturally appropriate education

The third step to assisting patients from different cultures is to provide culturally appropriate education and resources that meet their needs and preferences. Utilizing the teach-back method, where you ask the patient to repeat back what they have learned in their own words, can help check their understanding and clear up any misunderstandings. Additionally, the ask-tell-ask method, which involves asking the patient what they know or want to know, telling them the information they need, and asking them what they think or feel about it, can be used to elicit their feedback and concerns. To provide culturally appropriate education, you can use simple and clear language that avoids medical jargon, utilize visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, or videos to illustrate key points, use examples, stories, or metaphors that are relevant to the patient's culture and experience, utilize translated materials or interpreters if needed, give written summaries or reminders of the main messages, and refer the patient to credible and relevant sources of information and support.

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Farah Diba

Clinical Dietitian, Nutritionist, MPH (BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health), Nutritionist- STS Group, Ex- Labaid Cancer Hospital, Ex- Popular Medical College Hospital
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It is important to deliver culturally sensitive nutrition education to guarantee that the knowledge is applicable, courteous, and useful to people with varying cultural backgrounds. Before educating people about nutrition, spending some time learning about their varied cultural backgrounds would be wise. To improve comprehension of diverse cultures, their values, and communication styles, undergoing cultural sensitivity training can help. By doing this, you can steer clear of inadvertent misconceptions. It's crucial to confirm that nutrition resources are tailored to the audience's cultural variety while using pictures, recipes, and case studies. Lastly, community feedback should be taken to make nutrition education more adaptable.

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4 Empower cultural self-management

The fourth step to help patients from different cultures is to empower them to self-manage their digestive disease and cope with the challenges and stressors that may arise. To do so, you can use motivational interviewing, a collaborative and goal-oriented approach that helps the patient explore and resolve their ambivalence and enhance their motivation for change. Additionally, you can use the 5 A's model (Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, and Arrange) to facilitate their behavior change. Strategies to empower cultural self-management include assessing the patient's readiness, confidence, and barriers to change; advising them on the benefits and risks of different options; agreeing on realistic and specific goals and action plans; assisting them with problem-solving, coping, and self-monitoring skills; as well as arranging follow-up and reinforcement.

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5 Collaborate with cultural resources

The fifth step to help patients from different cultures is to collaborate with cultural resources that can enhance their digestive disease management and outcomes. You can use the 4 C's model (Care, Communicate, Coordinate, and Cooperate) and the BRIDGE model (Build rapport, Review options, Identify barriers and facilitators, Decide on a plan, Give information and support, and Evaluate progress) to guide your collaboration. Examples of cultural resources you can collaborate with include the patient's family, friends, and community; health care team; cultural leaders; cultural organizations; and cultural media. By following these tips, you can help patients from different cultures understand the importance of managing digestive diseases and improve their health and well-being. Additionally, it can also help you enhance your own cultural competence and sensitivity as a patient advocate while building trust with your patients.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Farah Diba

Clinical Dietitian, Nutritionist, MPH (BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health), Nutritionist- STS Group, Ex- Labaid Cancer Hospital, Ex- Popular Medical College Hospital
Report contribution
When it comes to taking into account cultural diversification, Dietitians should be willing to design diet regimens that accommodate vegan or vegetarian inclinations. Plant-based diets have a long history in many civilizations. Combining 2 or more plant proteins to increase the nutritional value is a good strategy. Also, we need to consider typical dietary intolerances and allergies and adjust the diet chart accordingly. This is particularly crucial because various cultural groups may exhibit distinct allergy patterns.

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How can you help patients from different cultures understand the importance of managing digestive diseases?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Respect cultural diversity

2 Assess cultural needs

3 Provide culturally appropriate education

4 Empower cultural self-management

5 Collaborate with cultural resources

6 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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How can you help patients from different cultures understand the importance of managing digestive diseases?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Respect cultural diversity

2 Assess cultural needs

3 Provide culturally appropriate education

4 Empower cultural self-management

5 Collaborate with cultural resources

6 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

Rate this article

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