Introduction
In the past, Madeleine Leininger noted and advocated for the notion of adequate care in nursing practice. Throughout her career as a nurse, she evaluated how nurses ignored to appreciate the patients’ culture while delivering care (da Silva et al., 2021). I chose Madeline Leininger’s theory because in the modern society, there is cultural variations among American citizens, which is a critical concern for nurses to be sensitive and aware of patients’ culture in nursing practice. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss the summary of the theory and its application in nursing practice.
Summary of Madeleine Leininger Theory
The culture care theory entails nurses acknowledging and knowing different cultural variations of patients’ beliefs and values. The concept involves patients being involved during caring activities and giving them, the chance to express their perception based on their cultural foundation. The theory notes that different people come from diverse background with beliefs, customs, and health values disparities. During care to the patients, the nurses should expect a different set of behaviours portrayed by patients and adjust to them accordingly, bearing in mind the cultural aspect. Care of the patient involves a holistic approach that ensures that the patient is free from physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and cultural factors. Culture knowledge equips nurses with the importance of culture incorporation in the healthcare system (McFarland & Wehbe-Alamah, 2019). Lastly, information about nurses’ care and profession guarantees nurses with an opportunity to identify and appreciate the same and varied beliefs, customs and values of other patients.
Utilization of the Theory in Nursing Practice and Inquiry
The theory is helpful since nurses are able to involve the patient and family members in matters regarding decision-making. The nurse will modify the decision agreed thus achieving a positive health outcome. For example, if a patient believes that ‘death is upon God’ and does not require any further medical intervention (Cardoso et al., 2019). The nurse in this situation may enlighten the patient while letting the wishes of the patient followed. After health education, the agreed decision is the one that the nurse will implement.
The theory is helpful as a guide in embracing therapeutic decisions and interventions that lead to the preservation and maintenance of lucrative patients’ beliefs and values. For instance the initiative of nurses in provision of tidy environment such as bathing of the patient, ensuring clean feeding utensils, changed linens and ensuring that windows are opened while floors are clean enables the maintenance of patient’s culture. Additionally, family members are embraced and interested in taking part of daily activities to ensure that inquiry and advanced care of the patient is promptly given (McFarland & Wehbe-Alamah, 2019). The theory acts as a guide in nurses’ provision of negotiation to patients and family members. For example, the Filipino American believes that garlic is effective in reducing of blood pressure. The nurse will try persuading the patient about the need of taking anti-hypertensive prescribed in lowering blood pressure.
Conclusion
The transcultural nursing model’s application ensures that nurses provide effective and quality care to patients during hospitalization. The theory ensures that the patient and family members’ beliefs, values and customs are respected during the delivery of services. The theory encourages nurses to use a holistic approach in nursing practice and not to give an absolute commitment to the illness of the patient only but rather ensure that the patients feels positive in all aspects.
References
McFarland, M. R., & Wehbe-Alamah, H. B. (2019). Leininger’s theory of culture care diversity and universality: An overview with a historical retrospective and a view toward the future. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 30(6), 540-557.
da Silva, E. R., de Alencar, E. B., Dias, E. A., da Rocha, L. C., & de Carvalho, S. C. M. (2021). Transculturalidade na enfermagem baseada na teoria de Madeleine Leininger. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde, 13(2), e5561-e5561.
Cardoso, M. F. P. T., Ribeiro, O. M. P. L., & Martins, M. M. F. P. D. S. (2019). Death and dying: Contributions to a practice based on nursing theoretical frameworks. Revista gaucha de enfermagem, 40.