Medical practitioners are exposed to diverse working environments because their responsibilities obligate interacting with individuals from different backgrounds. As a result, cultural competency is a core component of quality health service delivery as indifferences can result in conflicts and a failure to address a patient’s critical needs. Nevertheless, cultural competency does not only describe habits that accommodate an individual’s practices and beliefs. Rather, it involves health service delivery that acknowledges an individual’s intrinsic needs, communication efficiency, and the implications of the environment on well-being. Therefore, the following paragraphs explain why nurses must be culturally and linguistically competent and why it is critical to evaluate one’s cultural competency using nursing tools and models.
The patient in the case scenario is a foreigner who is visiting from Puerto Rico and is only fluent in English. Therefore, I believe that I am at step three of the cultural competency staircase when dealing with the patient’s language and culture because of the depth of her attributes. Several Spanish individuals in the US are proud of their cultures and occasionally embrace cultural practices. However, most of these people are good English speakers, thus facilitating good communication and understanding. To advance to the next level, I will familiarize myself with basic terms that might be useful in medical settings and learn other techniques to communicate to such patients, including non-verbal approaches and language translators.
The most crucial information about the patient is her preference for western therapeutic approaches and her attitudes toward seeking healthcare services in institutions. Although most people believe that western medicine offers the best solutions, it is always advisable to examine whether certain medical interventions may be met with resistance to ensure that the treatment process is seamless (Sharifi et al., 2019). Moreover, it would be reliable to find out whether the patient can understand English terms to allow other practitioners to engage with her at her level of understanding and assure her of effective assistance. In the process, that patient will believe that she is in safe hands and follow through with the treatment.
One of the vital needs of the patient in the study is emotional and social support. Therefore, it would be advisable to connect her with her family and her friends back at home if possible. The case study suggests that the patient was visiting her daughter. Hence, even if her daughter cannot manage to be in the institution physically, health service providers can ensure continuous communication between the patient and her daughter to ensure her comfort. Family members have strong interpersonal bonds that practitioners should take advantage of to deliver care (Handtke et al., 2019). On that note, the medical team can communicate to the patient through her daughter who will assure her of good care and help enhance her trust in the care team.
The basic resources that I will require to ensure continuous communication between the patient and her daughter is a mobile phone or a smart electronic device that they can use to face time and talk. Internet connectivity is readily accessible in medical institutions and residential areas. Thus, a computer or smartphone to facilitate communication is the most efficient solution to deliver on the initiatives. Moreover, the daughter will maintain contact with the medical practitioners since they rely on her to engage the patient and keep her calm. However, the medical team can also organize visits to allow the daughter to see her mother in the institution whenever she can.
The cultural assessment model that I would apply to this case is the sunrise model because it maximizes a patient’s comfort by acknowledging all their cultural values, superstitions, lifestyle, beliefs, and habits. An individual’s cultural features shape the way they communicate and their language characteristics (Kersey-Matusiak, 2018). Therefore, understanding a person’s culture using these tenets will ensure the appropriate communication approaches according to their age, health status, and societal relations. Subsequently, addressing these issues will result in more comprehensive health service delivery as nurses will adhere to standards that assure trust.
Although many individuals sometimes contemplate their deaths and what it means to other people, I have never considered the significance of my death because I look forward to a prosperous and fruitful life. Nevertheless, if I were to die, I would like to leave a substantial legacy behind, especially to my family members who will experience the heaviest loss. Everybody hopes to die a peaceful death that is free of suffering. Therefore, it would be better to reflect on a life lived to the fullest and a death that is accompanied by the presence of loved ones, colleagues, and family members.
I come from a cultural background that believes in life after death, allowing me to hold similar beliefs as I value human life and its essence. Although science has explained various concepts of human life and put reason to human existence, several features of human life are still unknown to scientists and researchers. However, I believe that all human beings serve a purpose on earth and play a role that ushers them to the afterlife. Moreover, I hold that the afterlife will offer unimaginable comfort and increased intelligence as individuals will have surpassed the level of being human.
When addressing the needs of terminally ill patients like the one featured in the case study, I am at level four of the cultural competency staircase as I am familiar with the beliefs of various cultures. Although my beliefs suggest that there is life after death, I can work with people who do not believe in life after death without questioning the reasons for their beliefs or imposing judgment. However, to advance through stages five and six of the staircase, I plan to engage with other individuals and gradually learn about their beliefs and preferences to allow me a better understanding of their values. Understanding the reasons why people have various values is critical to help accommodate and appreciate their cultures (Givler et al., 2021). Thus, learning more about these beliefs and their essence will facilitate more competence.
Caring for terminally ill patients might be challenging due to the intense emotions associated with the obligations. However, I am comfortable with spending time with the patient, occasionally communicating with them, and discussing the issues related to their dying process with her family. I have notable experience with dealing with terminally ill patients as I was first exposed to them while engaging in community health services in our local area. Thus, I am equipped with the listening and communication skills to address all their issues and create an environment that enhances their comfort. Hence, I can apply skills learned in my practice to take care of the patient in the case and facilitate a smooth transition.
According to the case study, the patient is not religious but may hold other beliefs regarding death and life after death. Therefore, it is reasonable to examine her background and identify her potential beliefs about these aspects and other facets of life. Moreover, it is advisable to investigate other beliefs or traditions that the patient holds since they can be beneficial in allowing her to reconcile with her situation (Kersey-Matusiak, 2018). Teaming up with family members to deliver these needs will help the patient open up and become more comfortable. In addition, it would be wise to provide solutions to feeding and introduce food that is appealing to the patient, considering her background, age, and practices. Ultimately, these changes will lead to positive improvements and ensure a better send-off.
A diagnosis that renders an individual terminally ill is difficult to accept and reconcile with even for strong-hearted individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to deliver high-quality and comprehensive social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to encourage a patient and improve their life quality. In a similar scenario, I would appreciate staying close and in contact with my family members since spending more time with them will ensure my happiness. In addition, I would appreciate the help of a minister or an individual who will assist me in prayers and spiritual deliverance as this will serve a crucial role in my mental and psychological well-being. Moreover, I would appreciate the highest quality level of care to ensure that I die a peaceful death without pain and suffering. The environment as mentioned above will ensure maximum comfort and acknowledge all my beliefs.
References
Givler, A., Bhatt, H., & Maani-Fogelman, P. A. (2021). The importance of cultural competence in pain and palliative care. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & Mösko, M. (2019). Culturally competent healthcare–A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision.PloS one, 14(7), e0219971. Web.
Kersey-Matusiak, G. (2018). Delivering culturally competent nursing care: Working with diverse and vulnerable populations. Springer Publishing Company.
Sharifi, N., Adib-Hajbaghery, M., & Najafi, M. (2019). Cultural competence in nursing: A concept analysis.International journal of nursing studies, 99, 103386. Web.