MARKETING MATTERS
Native American Protocol
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

There are cultural variations between Native Americans, but there are some basic similarities that ECPs can utilize in practice protocol.  

The term Native American denotes American Indians and Alaskan Natives. This group makes up one percent of the U.S. population, with an estimated total of 2.3 million individuals. About 40 percent of Native Americans live in rural settings on or near a reservation, while around 60 percent are in urban areas.

The following information is from the "Clinician's Guide: Working with Native Americans Living with HIV," National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, Oakland, Calif., funded by the HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration.

While your particular medical specialty is quite different, the following guidelines for successful interaction are equally applicable to any patient-care setting.

GETTING FAMILIAR

Native American communication style may be misinterpreted.

Speaking: When addressed, some Native Americans may look away or look down. In some tribes, direct eye contact is considered disrespectful. Speaking in a slow and deliberate manner, Native Americans are careful listeners and very perceptive of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions or hand gestures.

Trust: Native Americans have a long history of distrust for authority and fear breach of confidentiality. Many Native Americans exercise caution when communicating with others; information may not be voluntarily shared.

Explain to your Native American patients that you have to ask some direct questions to help meet their needs and serve them better, and that you don't intend these questions to be unsettling or offensive.

Tribes: Native Americans are likely to turn to their community for support. Find out what tribe your patient is from, where and how they were raised, and whether their tribe uses traditional healing methods.

THE NATURAL APPROACH

Many Native Americans believe in holistic treatments—the whole individual must be treated, not just one physical aspect. When treating a Native American patient, address physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs for the most success.

Educate patients on the merits of Western health care, and encourage the use of both Western medicine and traditional medicine together. Make a point of involving patients in every step of their care.