In my clinical setting this week, I noticed that there was not a lot of cultural awareness at my clinical site. For example, the differences between nurses and patients affect communication by impacting both clinicians’ and patients’ decisions about treatment. For instance, a nurse misinterpreted a patient’s silence as a lack of interest in receiving care resulting in the nurse not ordering a diagnostic test when the patient’s response only reflected the notion of respectful behavior. Cultural diversity awareness is understanding the importance of a person’s existence in terms of the thoughts and the environment by not allowing it to influence those from other backgrounds. It entails having knowledge and understanding of the patient’s culture as well as accepting and respecting differences in culture and adapting care that is in term with the patient’s culture.
Understanding the barriers caused by the cultural differences between the nurses and patients helped me be culturally aware and how it would help patients. Language barriers being the first problem prevent patients from describing their symptoms accurately and providers from explaining diagnoses. I encourage nurses to ensure proper communication between a practitioner and a patient by providing a translator just in case they do not have a common language. Encouraging the patient by giving them time to express how they feel will help offer the best treatment option, such as administering the correct dose to the patient. I would use simple language in giving routine care, for example, explaining the infection control method to the patient. After consulting with the patient about the foods available in his place, I would keenly advise the proper diet that they should rely on to attain healing.
Cultural tradition is another crucial issue that nurses should understand when treating patients. Different cultures have traditions that go against western medicine. A woman from Beijing would prefer Chinese herbs rather than taking the prescribed medication. Nurses may experience a lot of problems while treating such a patient. Therefore, the nursing professionals should clearly explain to the patient how safe the health assessment method is and how it will influence the healing process as it has been used with other people having the same problem. This approach will make the patient trust the treatment and have confidence since they will feel safe and recognized. Having known the culture of the patient, offering the appropriate religious requirement will bring about a quick recovery for the patient.
Health literacy varies from culture to culture, and this becomes an issue when some cultures are unaware of the critical health conditions or how to maintain their health daily. When patients from different cultures have a problem understanding healthcare practices, nurses have a role in explaining to them the diagnosis and treatment in a way that acknowledges their cultural needs. For instance, nurses can use a physical examination to bring about fluid balancing hence treatment being done in a way that does not affect the patient’s culture.
Culturally sensitive nurses respect cultural needs since they understand the relationship between cultural links and individuals. This attitude helps them provide care without affecting the family’s cultural belief system and use emotional strategies for both caregivers and patients to reach the common goal. It is only the trans-cultural nursing approach that builds the therapeutic relationship and offers appropriate and responsive care and treatment to the patients.