Abstract
The given paper revolves around the delivery of culturally competent care to patients belonging to different ethnic groups. The work investigates the most important aspects of the given issue and delves into the analysis of the significance of the cultural aspect in terms of the healthcare sector. For this reason, the information presented in the credible sources related to the question is collected and discussed.
In the course of the paper, the crucial role of cultural competence and patient-centeredness is evidenced by numerous modern approaches that are taken as the most efficient ones. Additionally, the paper also provides a review of the relevant literature to create a solid knowledge basis for further investigations of the issue. Finally, the work also presents several implications for the nursing practice that are aimed at the significant improvement of its efficiency. At the end of the paper, the conclusion is made.
Introduction
Diversity is one of the major concerns of the modern world. The increase of the tempos of globalization and a number of modern tendencies towards immigration resulted in the creation of a multicultural society that is comprised of representatives of numerous ethnic groups. The given structure could be considered as a great benefit as it promotes the further development of the community; however, it also gives rise to a number of concerns related to cultural competence.
Especially topical this question becomes in terms of the healthcare sector as the peculiarities of the patients culture might condition the approaches and practices used to guarantee his/her recovery. In these regards, the further development of cultural competence is crucial for a healthcare professional as it impacts the nursing process and introduces some significant aspects.
Analysis
The process of the recognition of the importance of the cultural factor has started along with the increase in the level of tolerance. Representatives of various ethnic groups living in a certain country demanded a special attitude based on the main peculiarities of their mentality and traditions. Additionally, the reconsideration of the approach towards equality and public disapproval of discrimination conditioned the appearance of the new approach which tended to take into account the aspects of the patients culture that might impact the process of recovery. However, the further evolution of society and the humanistic approach introduced the need for the creation of the environment that would have a positive effect on the state of a patient and his/her mood (Wilson-Stronks et al., 2008). The complexity of these factors combined with the evidence of the efficiency of the given practice promoted the increase of the importance of cultural competence in terms of nursing.
Nevertheless, the scale of the challenge is so significant that it introduces the need for the investigation of the major concerns of cultural competence to understand the possibilities for their implication for nursing practice. Hence, the purpose of the given paper is to analyze the modern tendencies in the given sphere and outline the most important conceptions related to cultural competence. Additionally, it also tends to analyze the idea of patient-centeredness and its impact on the whole nursing sphere. That is why the work revolves around the relevant sources to obtain credible data related to the question. Furthermore, there is also an attempt to highlight the possible limitations introduced by various cultural peculiarities in the context of a certain ethnic group.
Besides, investigating the issue, it is vital to adhere to the main principles of the qualitative method. Analyzing the impact various cultural factors have on the healthcare sector, one should determine the degree of the influence and the effect the given aspect might have on the state of a patient and the whole sphere. For these reasons, the analysis of the sources that provide information about the patients progress and feedback is essential to improve the comprehending of the researched question. Additionally, the usage of the qualitative method might help to create the basis for further research with the help of a quantitative or mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. Finally, the usage of the given method could be explained by the nature of the investigated phenomena as it impacts the quality of the provided service and conditions the recovery process.
Yet, analyzing the issue one should admit its great significance and topicality in terms of the modern healthcare sector. Besides, Lehman, Fenza, and Hollinger-Smith (n.d.) state that nowadays cultural competency is at the core of the patient-centered care as it impacts the way this very care is delivered and received. It means that the question becomes one of the major concepts of the modern medicine which proclaims its orientation on the fulfillment of the basic patients needs (Lehman, Fenza, & Hollinger-Smith, n.d.). Furthermore, Saha, Beach, and Cooper (2008) admit the expansion of the scope of patient-centeredness and the rise of cultural competence.
They tend to associate these processes with the recognition of the overwhelming effect these factors have on the state of a patient. Moreover, the majority of the modern authors accept the necessity of the further development of possible implications to promote the evolution of the sphere and guarantee the further improvement of healthcare. De Gagne et al. (2015) are also sure that the acquisition of the knowledge of the peculiarities of a certain community’s functioning might help to overcome numerous limits that complicate the delivery of nursing care.
The authors provide an example related to the Asian Indians community in the Southeastern United States. In the course of the study, they prove the idea that representatives of this ethnic group have some unique barriers to health services resulting from their mentality (De Gagne et al., 2015). It becomes obvious that the elimination of these barriers will result in the significant improvement of the whole sphere and the quality of life of the members of this community.
Besides, the significance of the cultural competence is also evidenced by the increased efficiency and performance of medical establishments that adhere to the main principles of the delivery of culturally competent care (Wilson-Stronks et al., 2008). The showings also prove that the usage of the patient-centered approach becomes the main model peculiar to the modern healthcare sector.
In these regards, one realizes the potential benefits resulting from the implementation of the given practice and from the development of cultural competence. Additionally, the example provided by De Gange et al. (2015) proves the existence of the unique barriers determined by the ethnicity and mentality of various groups. That is why the further exploration of the issue is crucial for the evolution of a number of healthcare services and might contribute to the improvement of the nations health.
If to speak about the possible implications of the major concepts of cultural competence for nursing care, one should admit several essential points. First, any nurse should aim at the improvement of his/her competence to improve the process of communication with patients and guarantee their faster recovery. Second, it is crucial to organize the functioning of the sphere in accordance with the existing approaches to the delivery of culturally competent care. It will contribute to the creation of a positive atmosphere that will have a beneficial effect on the process of a patients recovery.
Third, the cases of all representatives of a certain ethnic group should be examined with consideration for the unique factors that might create some barriers to the delivery of healthcare. The adherence to all these factors will obviously promote the significant improvement of the efficiency of healthcare specialists and contribute to their professional growth. Finally, the recognition of the health care needs of a specific group will help to organize a more efficient recovery process by eliminating the factors that might have a negative impact on a patients health.
Conclusion
Altogether, cultural competence has become one of the major concerns of the modern healthcare sector. The growth of the significance of the issue is conditioned by the reconsideration of the approach towards the delivery of health care to the patients characterized by the belonging to some unique ethnic group. A number of researches related to the issue prove the efficiency of the given approach and insist on the necessity of its implementation into the nurse care settings. For this reason, it is vital to continue the investigation of the given question to guarantee its further improvement and deliver culturally competent care.
References
De Gange, J., Oh, J., So, A., Haidermota, M., & Lee, S. (2015). A Mixed Methods Study of Health Care Experience Among Asian Indians in the Southeastern United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(4), 354-365. doi:10.1177/1043659614526247
Lehman. D., Fenza, P., Hollinger-Smith. (n.d.). Diversity & Cultural Competency in Health Care Settings.
Saha, S., Beach, M., & Cooper, L. (2008). Patient Centeredness, Cultural Competence and Healthcare Quality. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(11), 1275-1285.
Wilson-Stronks, A., Lee, K., Cordero, C., Kopp, A., & Galve, E. (2008). One Size Does Not Fit All: Meeting the HealthCare Needs of Diverse Populations. Web.