This chapter introduces the concept of culture, ethnicity, ethnocentrism, values,
and acculturation. These discussions are necessary because of the changing demographics
in the United States. Culture has a significant influence on the delivery and
receipt of nursing care including patients’ interpretation of health,
wellness and illness, and the seeking of medical attention. It is imperative
for nurses to understand patient beliefs about health care and illness because
of its effects on health care outcomes. Culturally competent care incorporates
working together with the nurse and patient to provide optimum care in a culturally
diverse environment.
American health care providers do not mirror the population at large. This means that there is a different proportion of racial, ethnic diversity, gender, and sexual orientation in nursing as compared to current trends. This makes it more important for nurses to be aware of diversity and the idea of transcultural nursing. This type of nursing requires a comparative analysis of different cultures with respect to behavioral, health-illness, values, beliefs, and behavior patterns with the goal of developing scientific and humanistic knowledge to provide culture specific and culture universal nursing practice.
One model highlighted in this chapter, called Spector’s model, assumes that ethnic groups keep their traditional values, beliefs, and norms. Hence, cultural assessments should include space, culture, social organization, communication, time, religion ethnicity, environmental control, and biological variations.
The management of culturally diverse teams present challenges for nurses due to sensitivity needed regarding race, culture, age, gender, sexual affections, and abilities. Suggestions for management of multicultural teams include: problem solving techniques, differences in response to conflict, understanding of diversity, team members’ values, verbal and nonverbal communication, clarification and assumptions, and identification of those who represent the minority versus majority in a group.
Spirituality and religion
are explored, identifying spirituality as a belief in a higher power and religion
as an organized and public belief system. Spiritual assessment and symptoms
of distress are discussed. Sometimes recognizing symptoms and intervening can
be difficult because patients may hold these aspects of their being as private.