Discussion Response
Post a thoughtful response to at least two (2) other colleagues’ initial postings. Responses to colleagues should be supportive and helpful (examples of an acceptable comment are: “This is interesting – in my practice, we treated or resolved (diagnosis or issue) with (x, y, z meds, theory, management principle) and according to the literature…” and add supportive reference. Avoid comments such as “I agree” or “good comment.”
Response posts: Minimum of one (1) total reference: one (1) from peer-reviewed or course materials reference per response.
Response posts: Minimum 100 words excluding references.
Discussion 1
The purpose of this discussion board is to discuss the definition of a cultural diverse assessment as well as to describe key components of culturally diverse assessments and discuss various communication skills that can facilitate an efficient delivery of culturally competent care. Andrews and Boyle describe a culturally diverse assessment as being a process that nurses use to assess individual health needs and interests (2016). In order to complete a comprehensive cultural assessment, it is import to remember some key areas of focus during your assessment. It is important to take the time to communicate with your patient and to ask them if there is anything specific that you as the healthcare provider needs to know about their care. This will give you an idea of whether or not there is anything specific to the way care should be received that is influenced by any cultural or religious practice. It is also useful to be transparent with your patient and ask them if they identify with any type of religion and also do a demographic questionnaire as part of your initial assessment.
Some skills that can be useful in ensuring that you conduct a sufficient cultural assessment are outlined in Patient-Clinician Communication: Basic Principles and Expectations by Paget et al (2011). One skill to utilize to ensure adequate communication is obtained during a cultural assessment is to ensure that there is a mutual respect between client and clinician. This will contribute to an open communication between the involved parties so that information can be exchanged openly and decisions made collaboratively. Second is harmonized goals; it is important to make sure that both patient and clinician have the same goal in place for the focus of their treatment decisions (Paget et al, 2011). Thirdly is to create an environment that is supporting so that the patient has the ability to make a decision without fear of retaliation or backlash. It is also essential that you ensure your patient is given the right information so that they are able to make a well thought-out decision based on all of the available information. Lastly, it is important to main transparency and full disclosure with your patients at all time (Paget et al, 2011). This will be helpful for both you and your patient to ensure that decisions are made without the patient having to guess through the unknown. With these tools and tips for conducting a cultural assessment, we as nurses can be assured that we will be able to provide quality patient-centered, culturally congruent healthcare.
Andrews, M. M., & Boyle, J. S. (2016). Transcultural concepts in nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Paget, L., Han, P., Nedza, S., Kurtz, P., Racine, E., Russell, S., . . . Von Kohorn, I. (2011, June). Patient-Clinician Communication: Basic Principles and Expectations. Retrieved March 07, 2018, from https://ohio.app.box.com/s/1gls2f877opa9fufsaqybab…
Discussion 2
The purpose of this discussion is to define cultural diverse assessment. I will also describe key components of a comprehensive cultural assessment in my own words. I will identify five communication skills that facilitate culturally competent health care from the article Patient- Clinician Communication.
People of diverse cultural backgrounds have many issues they have to face when accessing health care especially when they have already poor insurance coverage. Many have to overcome the challenges of discrimination and poor financial income. As nurses, we have to develop sensitive, culturally congruent care for our patients. We need to perform a cultural diverse assessment by taking into account our patients cultural needs and individualize care. By gathering appropriate information such as beliefs and values, nurses can better understand their patients and tailor care appropriately.
There are many components when it comes to providing a comprehensive cultural assessment. By adding elements of cultural assessment into the health assessment nurses can gather information about the patient. Cultural assessments form the structure for the patients plan of care. In order to provide care for people of other cultures, nurses need to understand what is culturally acceptable, safe, affordable, accessible, congruent, and competent based off the research they gather from their assessment. (Andrews & Boyel, 2016) The cultural assessment consists of process which is the approach the nurse has to the patient including verbal and nonverbal communication. The content portion of the assessment includes the actual data collected. The data being collected includes cultural affiliations, health related benefits, values, orientation, communication, health related beliefs, practices, nutrition, organizations, education, religion, cultural beliefs on disease and more. (Andrews & Boyel, 2016) Cultures must be viewed in a certain context in which they have developed. The patient will respond in a specific way in which they view their problems. Another principle to consider when doing an assessment is the reasoning in which why their behavior is the way it is. Certain cultures have different outlooks on how things are done, nurses need to be understanding. But, nurses also need to understand that not all people of the same cultural are going to have all of the same beliefs.
Communication in health care is one of the most important concepts in providing safe and quality patient care. There are many key components in delivering effective commination. One way to provide effective communication is by establishing a mutual respect between the patient and the caregiver. By doing this, the patient will trust the caregivers health practices and understand their health is put first. Another way to perform communication is by coming to an agreement on common goals. By having the same agenda, this will improve patient outcomes. The third principle of patient-clinician communication is having a supportive environment around you. With the patient speaking openly about their health issues, gives the clinician more background about how the patient is feeling about their current health situation. This also establishes a rapport and sense of trust between the patient and health care provider. Having a trusting relationship with patients can also give them the awareness of transparency and full disclosure. This lets the patient know that the clinician puts their best interest first. By providing the right information, the clinician and patient can discuss choices that need to be made. Patients want to know information that will help them make decisions regarding their health choices. Clinicians will need to provide risks, benefits, symptoms and more so the patient can make an appropriate decision.
In order to gather appropriate information regarding out patients, we need to provide a tailored approach to communication. We want our patients to trust us and listen to our health advice, we need to establish a rapport with them before they fully trust our guidance. Being culturally sensitive and showing interest in their values, beliefs, and cultural and adjusting their care plans to fit their cultural needs can gain our patients trust.
References:
Andrews, M. and Boyle, J. (2016) Transcultural Concepts in Nursing Care (7th ed) Philadelphia,
PA: Wolters Kluwer Health
Paget,Lynn Han,Paul Nedza,Susan Kurtz,Patricia Racine, Eric Russell, Sue Santa, John Jean
Schumann, Mary Simha, Joy Von Kohorn, Isabelle (2011) Patient-clinician communication: basic principles and expectations. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies