About the Cultural Formulation Interview

This is a really cool tool. I am going to use it in my PMHNP clinicals. Seems like a great way to "break the ice" when speaking with a patient and start things off on the right foot!

it truly is important to understand the roots and the culture of a person in every way possible in order to understand that not everything can be generalized, everyone is uniquely different in their experiences and oppressions. Everyone understands things differently. The reality is no one will ever experience the same thing in the same way. Experiences vary in every aspect. In a professional setting more so it is important to recognize that atmospheres matter, cultural experiences matter, trauma matters, and it all comes into play in the individual's personality and life. It simply cannot all be generalized to fit the clinicians' way of treating; it has to be mutual. But it has to be specific to the individual's needs and the needs must be identified and understood on both ends in order to successfully heal. For instance, my interpretation of this video will not be the same interpretation you got, nor will we have experienced it in the same way. Before this, I had no idea the CFI existed and if I am being transparent, I ignorantly assumed that in some way health professionals were doing their own research to meet at least a few of these needs. What I most enjoyed about it was that it makes professionals actively listen and then consequently allows them to grow in their own practice and as a human being. The questions can bring up uncomfortable situations so it also challenges the patient to expand themselves in a way they are comfortable and uncomfortable in. Being comfortable with the uncomfortable, if you will. It allows them to understand in their own way and allows medical professionals to start to learn different methods to approach patients, teach, and vice versa.