Introduction
The article examines the phenomena of self-awareness and reflection in nursing practice, how it can help patients, taking into account their cultural characteristics. The author emphasizes the importance of culturally competent care. Respect for racial, cultural, and religious differences and the promotion of social justice in healthcare settings underpin cultural competence. This approach to treatment and care will improve communication between staff and patients, increasing satisfaction and encouraging facilitation and adherence to treatment.
Discussion
Nowadays, effective work in a medical environment implies awareness of various factors that affect the sides’ interaction. Intrapersonal factors are related to the internal state of the nurse, interpersonal ones indicate the communication of the nurse with the patients. Contextual factors are also necessary “to be considered when interacting with the patient,” related to political, economic, cultural, and social. (Rasheed et al, 2019, p. 765) So, without considering all these factors, the nurse may assess the patient as “nonadherent” to the cure. Misunderstandings can negatively affect the relationship between the medical staff and the patient. Taking into account all of the factors described can improve the quality of nursing care in general.
Self-awareness is an essential component for the development and strengthening of intercultural therapeutic relationships. “Self-aware nurses reflect on their strengths and limitations; acknowledge their racial, cultural, and religious prejudices; and recognize negative and positive potentials to care for patients in different contexts and settings.” (Younas, 2020, p. 62) Experimental studies show that self-awareness and reflection are essential for the development of competencies related to a cultural approach in nursing. Being “aware of your own biases and ingrained cultural values, you can prevent yourself from projecting those biases on to patients when providing care.” (Younas, 2020, p. 63) The author points out that it is self-awareness that reminds nurses not to judge patients’ cultural values. Thus, being a tool for increasing cultural competence and providing more delicate care. Different strategies are determined to apply the approach in different situations. Reflexive practices include observing and tracking patient care needs, keeping a diary, and receiving patient feedback can help nurses see the problem from the patient’s point of view.
Impact of Assigned Article Content on Future Practice
The impact of the article’s content for future practice can be assessed as significant since the topics raised are crucial. The article offers practical advice aimed at developing cultural competence. According to the author, to learn more about patients’ cultural values and beliefs, they must be compared with their own. Analyzing the similarities and differences in values, beliefs, and views will help incorporate the findings into practice and improve cultural competence. This can be done during conversations with patients, personal observations, and constantly updating information. Learning from experience can significantly enhance a nurse’s ability and competence to provide care. What is more, nurses are also culturally diverse in many multicultural countries. Due to the fact that culture is an integral part of the individual, cultural competence is essential for the provision of quality nursing care.
Conclusion
To conclude, the article explores the topic of cultural competence in medicine and its importance. The ability of medical workers to demonstrate respect, acceptance, goodwill towards patients with different values, beliefs, and feelings is cultural competence. Such training is essential in an area where human interaction is a significant factor in care and assistance. Cultural competence can reduce inequalities in health at a broader sociocultural level and provide optimal care for patients regardless of their race, gender, origin, language, religious and cultural beliefs. Currently, nurses have a responsibility to take into account a number of factors when caring for patients, as well as to have self-awareness, this can contribute to improving the quality of care. Self-awareness is an integral part of nursing care in a culturally competent approach. Nurses are prepared to address cultural bias when they are aware of cultural differences.
References
Rasheed, S. P., Younas, A., & Sundus, A. (2019). Self‐awareness in nursing: A scoping review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(5-6), 762-774.
Younas A. (2020). Self-awareness: A tool for providing culturally competent care. Nursing, 50(2), 61–63.