Reflection from Common Ground . . . Cultural Awareness in Healthcare showcases many of the opportunities and tools available for healthcare professionals to develop cultural awareness and competency. This unique book offers a way forward and easily lends itself to personal, group or institutional use. It is a tool to promote change, while also an interesting look into the origin of what we encounter in ourselves and others. Discovery begins with our understanding of how cultural influences affect the decisions about our health and wellness. Self-reflective exercises are placed strategically throughout the book, and offer opportunities for readers to gain insight into many cultural beliefs, values and health care practices. Real-life scenarios are included and illustrate the challenge of finding common ground with patients, families and colleagues. The concluding chapters focus on cultural awareness and competency in various healthcare institutions and academic settings. Reflections from Common Ground enables the reader, whether a healthcare professional, administrator, or educator, to gain fuller awareness and to open the doors to culturally sensitive healthcare.
About the Author: Beth Lincoln MSN, RN received her Masters in Nursing and Women's and Family Health, with Nurse Practitioner certification from University of California, San Francisco. As a Nurse Practitioner, she has provided clinical healthcare and professional education for a diverse population, and in Reflections from Common Ground . . . Cultural Awareness in Healthcare, she illustrates some of the situations in which cultural diversity may effect healthcare, including methods and means for health professionals to gain multi-cultural competence. She is a Certified Transcultural Nurse, credentialed by the Transcultural Nursing Society, of which she serves as the International president. Additionally, she is an Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, as certified by The Intercultural Communication Institute. Ms. Lincoln presents extensively, sharing her broad understanding and inspiring others to strive for cultural competence in providing sensitive and effective health care. Ms. Lincoln is the founder of Celemonde!, a cultural awareness educator for healthcare, scholastic and business institutions and individuals. A pathway to reflection and discovery, the Celmonde! way engages diverse professionals in a new dialogue to better appreciate how cultural issues can influence their effectiveness and decisions and can create conflict in the workplace. By creating greater cultural awareness, we can open the door to common goals and better understanding. Ms. Lincoln encourages each of us to celebrate every individual as a unique opportunity to share in the colorful history we all represent and the rich fabric we can become by weaving our diverse strands together.