August 10, 2023

Creating Moments of Cultural Connection and Joy with Patients - Dr. Raj Sundar, Family Medicine Physician and Host of the Healthcare for Humans Podcast

30 minutes

While it’s encouraging that efforts to provide culturally competent care have gained a foothold in the wake of COVID, today’s Raise the Line guest says it is time to expand the conversation to encompass the concepts of cultural safety - which involves awareness of historical power dynamics -- and cultural humility -- which requires an inward look. “Are you reflecting on your own values, beliefs, and background and what you're bringing to the table,” Dr. Raj Sundar explains to host Michael Carrese. Sundar tries to practice all of this himself with patients in his family medicine practice in Washington, but also works at a broader level as a community organizer with culturally diverse populations and reaches an even wider audience through his Health Care for Humans podcast aimed at educating clinicians on cultural safety in healthcare. He acknowledges up front how challenging this work can be, especially because well-intentioned efforts to connect culturally with patients can backfire unless they are well-informed, but it is more than worth the effort. “This work is messy and sometimes doesn't have a black or white answer, but it can provide moments of joy. When patients feel known, seen, and heard they feel like they can trust you.” Sundar is a thoughtful source of guidance in this enlightening look at what can be done at the individual and institutional level to facilitate cultural connection in healthcare.

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.healthcareforhumans.org/

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By Osmosis from Elsevier