Cultural desire, in the context of healthcare, is the intrinsic motivation a healthcare professional has to actively engage in becoming culturally competent. It's about wanting to learn and improve, rather than feeling obligated to do so. This desire drives the professional to seek out:
- Cultural awareness
- Cultural knowledge
- Cultural skills
- Cultural encounters
Key Elements of Cultural Desire
Here's a breakdown of what cultural desire entails:
Intrinsic Motivation
Cultural desire is not driven by external pressures like institutional mandates or fear of reprimand. Instead, it stems from a genuine desire to provide equitable and effective care to diverse populations.
Active Engagement
It involves proactively participating in the process of cultural competency development. It's not a passive acceptance of training, but an active pursuit of growth.
Components of Cultural Competence
This motivation is directed towards specific areas:
- Cultural Awareness: Understanding one's own biases and assumptions about other cultures.
- Cultural Knowledge: Learning about the beliefs, practices, and values of different cultural groups.
- Cultural Skill: Developing the ability to communicate and interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Cultural Encounters: Seeking opportunities to engage with people from different cultures, moving beyond mere textbook learning.
How Cultural Desire Differs from Obligation
It’s crucial to distinguish cultural desire from mere obligation:
| Feature | Cultural Desire | Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| Motivation | Internal, intrinsic, and driven by genuine interest | External, imposed, and driven by necessity or rules |
| Action | Active, proactive, and continuous improvement | Passive, reactive, and limited to what is required |
| Outcomes | More meaningful understanding, greater cultural competency | Minimal learning and superficial compliance |
| Engagement | Enthusiastic and willing to participate | Reluctant and doing only the bare minimum |
| Long-Term Goal | Genuine cultural competency that enhances patient care | Completing training and checking off a requirement |
Examples of Cultural Desire
- A nurse proactively researching the cultural dietary restrictions of a new patient.
- A doctor volunteering at a community health fair targeting a specific immigrant population.
- A therapist seeking out supervision from a colleague with extensive experience in a cultural group that the therapist has limited knowledge about.
Why Cultural Desire is Crucial
Without genuine cultural desire, efforts toward cultural competency may be superficial, and healthcare professionals may continue to unintentionally perpetuate health disparities and inequalities. Cultural desire is the engine that drives continuous improvement and cultural safety. It moves beyond cultural awareness and promotes genuine patient-centered care.
