Introduction
Cultural safety has a particularly important place for consideration in many spheres of human activity. This concept implies an awareness of the importance of culture in shaping individuals’ experiences of health and healthcare. In other words, it relies on the understanding that medical services should be provided with the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of various patients in mind. In addition, the concept of cultural safety implies taking into account the historical and modern context in which a particular community is located.
Description of the Theory of Cultural Safety
Particular importance should be given to the discussion of cultural safety’s three tenets. The first of these is the balance of power, which is based on the unequal distribution of authority between healthcare providers and patients. This is especially critical for those communities that are considered marginalized or oppressed. Within this aspect, cultural safety implies addressing this problem in healthcare and providing patients with the opportunity to be educated in the field of medical services (Curtis et al., 2019). Thus, they will be able to make informed decisions about their health on their own.
The second tenant becomes cultural humility, which implies the ability of medical professionals to realize the possible cultural biases that they have. The identification of these indicators will make it possible to provide the most comprehensive care to patients and strengthen diversity and inclusion in healthcare (Curtis et al., 2019). Moreover, it will help in creating a more open and respectful environment in the healthcare organization. The third tenant is anti-opposition, which draws attention to systemic opposition and discrimination (Curtis et al., 2019). The main negative effect of this aspect is the deterioration of conditions for receiving health services from marginalized communities. Cultural Security aims to continue work to counteract these negative effects. This initiative is represented through advocacy for policies and practices that promote equity and inclusion.
Distinguishing Characteristics of Cultural Safety
To gain a better understanding of what cultural security is, it is important to know how it differs from two more commonly used terms in the U.S.: cultural humility and cultural competence. These terms can often be confused due to the fact that they all relate to phenomena in healthcare such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. The leading difference between cultural security and cultural humility and cultural competence is that it focuses on creating an environment where patients from diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences feel safe and secure (Curtis et al., 2019). On the other hand, humanity and competence focus on the healthcare provider’s ability to be self-reflective and have the knowledge and skills to care for patients from different cultures effectively. Another difference in cultural security is the emphasis on issues that exist in society. It focuses on the systemic opposition and discrimination that marginalized communities experience in modern society. Thus, it makes an attempt to transform the healthcare system on a larger and global level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cultural safety has a valuable place in the field of healthcare. This phenomenon contributes to the limitation of such negative consequences of marginalization and oppression of cultural minorities as discrimination and prejudice. This contributes to strengthening aspects such as diversity and inclusion, which have a critical role in expanding the availability of health services. In the work of nurses, cultural safety is necessary to ensure that all patients receive care that is respectful, equitable, and culturally responsive to their needs.
Reference
Curtis, E., Jones, R., Tipene-Leach, D., Walker, C., Loring, B., Paine, S. J., & Reid, P. (2019). Why cultural safety rather than cultural competency is required to achieve health equity: a literature review and recommended definition. International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1), 1-17. Web.