The course of this research into cross-cultural and intercultural communication has given me much pause for thought, particularly when I read of the experiences of consumers who had received less-than ideal treatment. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to explore the issues of gender identity and sexuality further, and this is something I aim to do in the future to help inform my practice. The key ideas I have taken from this project are:
* identity is complex and is made up of many components
* culture is more than ethnicity
* language is not the only barrier, it's just the most obvious one
* even well-intentioned healthcare practitioners can lack cultural awareness and practice poor intercultural communication
* the better the therapist knows themselves, the better they can see how their identity shapes their attitudes to "others"
* an open mind will allow you to better see your client, and their experience
Also dont just go for the obvious you see and hear, but look behind the scene/wall /barrier...I find sometimes some sort of false pride can hide what actually is needed to help someone.
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