Exercise #53
DiviniTec: The Multicultural Alphabet
Authors: Marzena Mikła, PhD
35-40 min
Description
An A–Z quiz game introducing key religious, spiritual, cultural, and ethnic terms relevant to healthcare. Each letter represents a concept; students identify the correct definition and reflect on its meaning for culturally competent care.
Methodological Guide
Objectives
Learn key religious, spiritual, and cultural terms linked to health.
Develop cultural competence for clinical and social work.
Identify stereotypes and generalisations and practise respectful, inclusive approaches.
Connect cultural knowledge to real healthcare scenarios.
Develop cultural competence for clinical and social work.
Identify stereotypes and generalisations and practise respectful, inclusive approaches.
Connect cultural knowledge to real healthcare scenarios.
Expected Outcomes
Identify and define key multicultural terms.
Apply them to healthcare decisions.
Propose inclusive and respectful solutions to cultural conflicts in care.
Critically reflect on prejudice and generalisation.
Apply them to healthcare decisions.
Propose inclusive and respectful solutions to cultural conflicts in care.
Critically reflect on prejudice and generalisation.
Exercise Procedure
1. Introduction (5 min): teacher presents the objective, rules, and platform navigation.
2. Individual play (10 min): each student works independently through the 26 letters.
3. Discussion (10 min): students share answers and reflections; teacher moderates.
4. Summary (5 min): teacher recaps key concepts and clarifies doubts.
5. Final reflection (5 min): students connect learning to real multicultural healthcare situations.
2. Individual play (10 min): each student works independently through the 26 letters.
3. Discussion (10 min): students share answers and reflections; teacher moderates.
4. Summary (5 min): teacher recaps key concepts and clarifies doubts.
5. Final reflection (5 min): students connect learning to real multicultural healthcare situations.
Mode of Implementation
Individual play (~10 min) followed by group discussion (~10 min). Total: 35–40 minutes.
Role of the Teacher
Guide the activity. Moderate group discussion. Provide feedback. Stimulate reflection without judgement. Keep the space safe and respectful for all traditions mentioned.
Theoretical Basis
Grounded in culturally competent care and the chapter "Religious, Spiritual, and Cultural Practices Related to Health" by Marzena Mikła (Multicultural Education for Medical and Health Sciences Students).
Practical Application
Students encounter 26 core multicultural terms. By matching each term to its correct definition, they practise the factual recognition that underpins respectful, equitable care for patients from diverse traditions.
Knowledge Transfer
Transfers to clinical consultations, patient intake, hospital chaplaincy coordination, cross-cultural counselling, interpreting culturally-rooted patient decisions, and community health work.
Reinforcement & Reflection
After the game, reflect: which term was most relevant to your future practice? Which surprised you? What stereotypes might you hold that this exercise challenged?
Required Resources
Electronic device (computer, tablet or mobile) with access to the MultiCultiMed platform.
Assessment / Evaluation
Accuracy in the game, active and respectful participation in discussion, and individual reflection connecting learning to professional practice.
Practical Tips
Time management. Encouraging participation. Adaptation to online teaching. Flexibility and monitoring. Positive reinforcement. Respect for all beliefs mentioned.
Further Resources
Book: Multicultural Education for Medical and Health Sciences Students — chapter "Religious, Spiritual, and Cultural Practices Related to Health" by Marzena Mikła. MultiCultiMed project: www.multicultimed.pl. Pew Research Centre — Religion in Europe: https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/religion/
Additional Remarks
Check the platform before starting. Adapt times to the group. Encourage active participation. Record frequent errors for future reinforcement. Promote continuous self-reflection via a cultural reflection journal.