Culturally Competent Strategies for Latinos
Folk Medicine
Cultural brokers in nursing should have a proper understanding of the targeted population. They should use culturally-sensitive strategies in order to support their patients. A “broker in nursing should use the best strategies whenever supporting the health needs of different Latinos” (Bednarz, Schim, & Doorenbos, 2010, p. 254).
The first strategy is the use of folk medicine (Peterson-Iyer, 2014). Many Hispanics rely on “traditional healers and doctors” (Bednarz et al., 2010, p. 255). Medical practitioners should combine modern and traditional medicine whenever treating these patients. Nurses should also collaborate with different Latino healers.
Folk medicine is common among many Mexican-Americans. According to Peterson-Iyer (2014, p. 2), “many Latino patients will show positive signs of improvement after seeing their traditional healers”. Nurses should therefore use various traditional practices in order to produce the best outcomes. This practice is necessary because nursing is a holistic approach.
Use of Effective Socio-Cultural Values
The second culturally-competent approach entails the use of appropriate social values. A culturally-competent caregiver should be aware of the norms associated with this population. A proper strategy will promote the quality of care. Every nurse dealing with these patients should support the best values. For instance, the nurse should “embrace the power of interpersonal interaction” (Peterson-Iyer, 2014, p. 3). Nurses should show the highest level of respect. The individual should also minimize the level of confrontation.
The caregiver should also support the beliefs embraced by the targeted population. A culturally-competent caregiver should promote the best practices such as collaboration (Bednarz et al., 2010). These skills will create the best relationships between nurses and their Latino patients. The practice will eventually produce the best health outcomes.
Appropriateness of the Above Culturally-Competent Strategies
Nursing “should always focus on the best health experience” (Peterson-Iyer, 2014, p. 2). That being the case, caregivers should consider the cultural values of the targeted population. Many Latinos have unique cultural practices and behaviors. A large number of “Latinos use different traditional healers in order to achieve the best health goals” (Peterson-Iyer, 2014, p. 3). This situation explains why folk medicine is common in this society. Many doctors use modern practices in order to support the health needs of their patients.
A “culturally-competent caregiver should combine both folk and western practices in order to achieve the best health goals” (Padilla & Villalobos, 2007, p. 26). This approach will support the health needs of many Latinos. Nursing should be “a holistic approach that focuses on the emotional, cultural, physical, and psychological attributes of the patient” (Padilla & Villalobos, 2007, p. 24). This culturally-competent approach will improve the health experiences of many Latinos.
The second strategy promotes the best cultural values. Many Latinos have powerful interactional skills (Bednarz et al., 2010). They also promote certain practices and values. Caregivers should therefore promote these values. They should “also use the best communication strategies” (Padilla & Villalobos, 2007, p. 25).
Medical practitioners should also collaborate with the family members of their patients. The practice will increase the level of commitment. Every “patient will also develop a sense of trust” (Padilla & Villalobos, 2007, p. 28). A new relationship will emerge thus promoting the best medical outcomes. Every “caregiver should show the required respect to different authority figures” (Peterson-Iyer, 2014, p. 3). These competencies will support the health needs of many Latinos.
Reference List
Bednarz, H., Schim, S., & Doorenbos, A. (2010). Cultural Diversity in Nursing Education: Perils, Pitfalls, and Pearls. Journal of Nursing Educator, 49(5), 253-260.
Padilla, Y., & Villalobos, G. (2007). Cultural Responses to Health among Mexican American Women and Their Families. Family and Community Health, 30(1), 24-33.
Peterson-Iyer, K. (2014). Culturally Competent Care for Latino Patients: Introduction. Web.