The Sage Handbook of Intercultural Competence

This article assumes that the internationalization of higher education demands more elaborate pedagogical approaches to utilise the experiences of multiethnic student groups and to facilitate every student’s acquisition of intercultural competencies. Drawing from three internationalisation ideologies embedded in the educational discourse, it is argued that intercultural communication – as a field of study or a discipline – can play a key role in this endeavour. Twelve fields of consideration, when international educators work with students, are also identified.

Internationalisation, intercultural communication and intercultural competence

Population aging and the associated changes in demographic structures and healthcare needs is a key challenge across Europe Healthy aging strategies focus on ensuring the ability to maintain health, quality of life and independent living at old age Concurrent to the process of population aging, the demographics of Europe are affected by increased migration resulting in substantial ethnic diversity In this paper, we narratively review the health profile of the growing proportion of aging migrants in Europe, outline key factors shaping health among this diverse group and consider ways of addressing their healthcare needs Although factors shaping aging processes are largely similar across populations, migrant-specific risk factors exist These include exposure to health risks before and during migration; a more disadvantaged socioeconomic position; language barriers and low health literacy; cultural factors influencing health-seeking behaviours; and psychosocial vulnerability and discrimination affecting health and quality of life Overall, migrants experience the same morbidity and mortality causes as the native populations, but with different relative importance, severity and age of onset and with substantial differences within and between migrant groups Little is known regarding health behaviours among aging migrants, although differences in cancer screening behaviours have been identified Indications of widening health differentials between migrants and native populations with age and informal barriers to quality healthcare for aging migrants are causes of concern In conclusion, there is a need for attention to migration alongside other determinants of healthy aging The diversity in individual characteristics, life course processes and contextual factors shaping aging processes among migrants point to the need for a sensitive and comprehensive approach to policies, practices and research within the field of healthy aging This is important to accommodate for the needs of the growing number of aging migrants in Europe and counter inequities in health and well-being at old age

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Aging and health among migrants in a European perspective.

Culturally sensitive communication in healthcare: A concept analysis

Culturally sensitive communication at the end-of-life in the intensive care unit: A systematic review

Due to increasing national diversity, programs addressing cultural competence have multiplied in U.S. medical training institutions. Although these programs share common goals for improving clinical care for patients and reducing health disparities, there is little standardization across programs. Furthermore, little progress has been made to translate cultural competency training from the clinical setting into the public health setting where the focus is on population-based health, preventative programming, and epidemiological and behavioral research. The need for culturally relevant public health programming and culturally sensitive public health research is more critical than ever. Awareness of differing cultures needs to be included in all processes of planning, implementation and evaluation. By focusing on community-based health program planning and research, cultural competence implies that it is possible for public health professionals to completely know another culture, whereas intercultural competence implies it is a dual-sided process. Public health professionals need a commitment toward intercultural competence and skills that demonstrate flexibility, openness, and self-reflection so that cultural learning is possible. In this article, the authors recommend a number of elements to develop, adapt, and strengthen intercultural competence education in public health educational institutions.

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Intercultural Competency in Public Health: A Call for Action to Incorporate Training into Public Health Education

This brief report summarizes some experiences caring for children in a Federally Qualified Health Center in New Orleans who have recently immigrated to the United States from Central America, with some suggestions for patient management in dealing with these unique experiences that may help providers improve the interactions they have with these patients (Table 1). The reader is referred to many reviews of the medical aspects of caring for recent immigrant children, some oriented more at children being adopted by persons living in the United States and others that more generally address health care concerns of recent immigrants. This report will not review the data documenting the projected increases in the number of immigrants from Latin America to the United States and other reasons for increasing our preparedness to deal with these patients as these have been addressed elsewhere. Washbrook et al point out that immigrants to the United States often have language and education skills that can put their children at risk for poorer health outcomes. Examples of how this can affect pediatric practice is discussed.

Mark Dal Corso

Papers

Intercultural Competency in Public Health: A Call for Action to Incorporate Training into Public Health Education

Practice Experiences With Latino Immigrant Children.