Diversity and Alberta Health Services

Diversity Resources

Diversity FAQ'S

Welcome to Diversity FAQ's. This section is a great way to learn about diversity and to resolve issues that can arise when you are dealing with issues related to diversity. We respond to phone calls and emails from staff across the Region asking us for advice. We take your questions and requests very seriously and consult with a wide range of diversity resources, diverse community leaders, and experts before providing you with a well researched response.

If you have questions or need advice about how to deal with diversity-related issues, please give us a call at 403-943-0205 or email us diversity.services@calgaryhealthregion.ca. We will respond directly to you and we also post responses for many of the questions on this site with the intention that others can also learn about diversity.

Recent Questions

Medications & Dietary Restrictions
Q: "I am caring for a patient who is Muslim. Part of her treatment plan includes heparin injections. I know that some Muslims do not eat pork. Am I required to tell the patient that the medication she is to receive is derived from pork"
answer

Race vs. Ethnicity
Q: "Is it appropriate to use the term “race” when referring to the ethnic group of a person or a population?"
answer

Culture Shock
Q: "I am a clinical nurse working with newly arrived international nursing students who speak English as a second language. I am looking for information on how culture shock may affect newcomers. What do I need to know?"
answer

Newcomer Settlement
Q: "I am a health care professional. Where can I go for information on helping new comers resettle in Canada and promote their physical and mental health?"
answer

Cultural Objects or Ornaments
Q: "A Calgary Health Region surgeon, concerned about staff and patient safety, requested that a patient take off her kirpan prior to a surgical procedure. The patient refused, stating that “others” had operated on her in the past while she had it on. Should the surgeon insist on removing the kirpan in the interests of safety or allow the patient to wear it in the interests of respect for diversity. Furthermore, what is a kirpan?"
answer

Christmas Decorations
Q: "Is it OK to set up a Christmas tree and other decorations in our patient care unit in the hospital? Should we wish people Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? We don’t want to offend anyone but we also want to celebrate Christmas on our unit."
answer

Diversity and Alberta Health Services Home Diversity Competency Resources Publications Demographics Programs & Services Health Info. for Diverse Populations Community Partners Contact Us	Diversity and Alberta Health Services Diversity Resources Diversity FAQ'S On-line Diversity Competency Self-Assessments \| Diversity FAQ's \| Diversity Library \| Diversity Definitions \| Health and Diverse Populations \| Research & Publications Welcome to Diversity FAQ's. This section is a great way to learn about diversity and to resolve issues that can arise when you are dealing with issues related to diversity. We respond to phone calls and emails from staff across the Region asking us for advice. We take your questions and requests very seriously and consult with a wide range of diversity resources, diverse community leaders, and experts before providing you with a well researched response. If you have questions or need advice about how to deal with diversity-related issues, please give us a call at 403-943-0205 or email us diversity.services@calgaryhealthregion.ca. We will respond directly to you and we also post responses for many of the questions on this site with the intention that others can also learn about diversity. Recent Questions Medications & Dietary Restrictions Q: "I am caring for a patient who is Muslim. Part of her treatment plan includes heparin injections. I know that some Muslims do not eat pork. Am I required to tell the patient that the medication she is to receive is derived from pork" answer Race vs. Ethnicity Q: "Is it appropriate to use the term “race” when referring to the ethnic group of a person or a population?" answer Culture Shock Q: "I am a clinical nurse working with newly arrived international nursing students who speak English as a second language. I am looking for information on how culture shock may affect newcomers. What do I need to know?" answer Newcomer Settlement Q: "I am a health care professional. Where can I go for information on helping new comers resettle in Canada and promote their physical and mental health?" answer Cultural Objects or Ornaments Q: "A Calgary Health Region surgeon, concerned about staff and patient safety, requested that a patient take off her kirpan prior to a surgical procedure. The patient refused, stating that “others” had operated on her in the past while she had it on. Should the surgeon insist on removing the kirpan in the interests of safety or allow the patient to wear it in the interests of respect for diversity. Furthermore, what is a kirpan?" answer Christmas Decorations Q: "Is it OK to set up a Christmas tree and other decorations in our patient care unit in the hospital? Should we wish people Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? We don’t want to offend anyone but we also want to celebrate Christmas on our unit." answer
	E-mail comments to Healthy Diverse Populations Webmaster. Page last updated on: March 19, 2009