ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Purnell Model for Cultural Competence

The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence is a tool used to help healthcare providers understand different cultures and provide better care to people from different backgrounds. It's made of nine areas which are like steps you can take to learn more about different cultures.

Step 1 is to recognize your own cultural values and biases. This means looking honestly at yourself and how the way you were raised might affect the way you think about other cultural groups.

Step 2 is to learn about the values and beliefs of different cultures and how those might be different from your own. This could include things like learning about their religious practices or social customs.

Step 3 is to develop skills related to cultural competence, such as communication and language. This means practicing how to ask questions in a respectful way and being open to learning new words or phrases in another language.

Step 4 is to become aware of cultural mistakes which are caused by misunderstandings. This means being aware of your own biases and not expecting people from other cultures to behave in ways you’re comfortable with.

Step 5 is to recognize the importance of working with people from other cultures. This includes understanding their values and respecting the fact that everyone has the right to be different.

Step 6 is to identify the potential impact of cultural differences on healthcare. This includes learning about any potential issues or misconceptions that come up when different cultures interact.

Step 7 is to acquire cultural knowledge. This means gaining knowledge of cultural values, norms, and beliefs. This is important so that healthcare providers can better understand different cultures and be able to provide appropriate care.

Step 8 is to build respect for different cultures. This means being open to learning about different cultures and valuing their customs and beliefs.

Step 9 is to evaluate how well you are meeting the cultural needs of those you provide care for. This means reflecting on how your cultural attitudes and actions affect others, and making adjustments as needed for different situations.

The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence can help healthcare providers understand different cultures and provide better care to people from different backgrounds. By following these nine steps, healthcare providers can become aware of their own cultural biases and be better prepared to understand and respect the beliefs of those they provide care for.