NURS 3020 Week 3 Discussion – It’s a Small, Small World

NURS 3020 Week 3 Discussion – It’s a Small, Small World

As the different parts of the world become increasingly multicultural, nurses should be conscious of social and cultural differences and their impact on health. Cultural humility is a method of reflection to gain a deeper understanding of cultural differences to improve the way vulnerable groups are treated (United State National Library of Medicine, 2016). Every day many of us move between several cultures, even without thinking about it. The culture in our home or family is different from the culture at the workplace, school, social group, or religious organization. We need to be mindful of our values and beliefs, as this will help us to understand and value the culture of other people. We cannot understand the culture and makeup of others without being aware of our own background and situation (United State National Library of Medicine, 2016).

Personally, I grew up in a community where the use of herbal medicine is commonplace, we grew plants in our backyard that my mother would use to make “concoctions” for us when we were little, to drink whenever we were sick with stomach trouble, fever or cold and it makes us feel better. This has made me be considerate of my patient’s cultural beliefs and not be judgmental whenever I talk with them, and they tell me they are using some herbal medicine or supplements for their diagnosis. Many times, I have come across patients from Latino, India, China, Africa, and Asia, just to mention a few who will tell me they use herbal medicine or supplements along with their prescribed medications. I try not to be judgmental but encourage them to inform their Physicians of any herbal medicine or supplement they are taking to avoid drug-to-drug interactions. Many cultures believe that the cure is incomplete unless the healing of the body, mind, and spirit is carried out (Jarvis, 2016).

NURS 3020 Week 3 Discussion – It’s a Small, Small World

Working as a Nurse Case Manager, I once worked with an Indian female patient who told me that she developed her medical condition when she was brought to the United States and had no access to all the herbal medicines she used to take in India. She strongly believes all her medical conditions resulted when she stopped using herbal medications she had been taking in India for 15 years. She reported she used to drink a specific yellow powder from India mixed with milk for a “burning sensation in mouth and throat” (Heartburn), and it has been very helpful, but since she has been in the United States, she has had no access to the powder and her heartburn has gotten worse. I spoke with the daughter regarding this and asked if she could assist the mother with the herbal medicine, but she stated her mother is having memory issues and does not want to accept her medical diagnosis. Later, I called the patient again for a follow-up on care coordination, and she sounded very happy as she told me she was able to get the yellow powder from somebody that went from the United States to India; she has been using it and is feeling much better, especially with heartburn. Nurses should always remember that cultural desire involves the perception of caring. Cultural desire includes a sincere passion for being open and flexible with others, for accepting differences and building on similarities, and for being willing to learn from others as cultural informants (Campinha-Bacote, 2003).

References:

Campinha-Bacote, J. (2003). Many faces: addressing diversity in health care. Online Journal Of Issues In Nursing, 8(1), Retrieved from: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/Ta bleofContents/Volume82003/No1Jan2003/AddressingDiversityinHealthCare.aspx

United State National Library of Medicine (18 Aug 2016). Cultural humility Essential foundation for clinical researchers, Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834043/

Jarvis, C. (2016). Physical examination and health assessment (7th ed.). St. Louis, MS: Elsevier. Pg, 15

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NURS 3020 Week 3 Discussion – It’s a Small, Small World

Describe an incident, or incidents, in your own nursing practice in which you expressed social or cultural sensitivity in order to elicit a competent health history or assessment. Explain the positive impact your sensitivity had on patient care or collegial efficacy of patient care.