Introduction
People needing medical help come from different cultures and backgrounds that shape their values, beliefs, and opinions. All health professionals must care for patients without discrimination, helping everyone improve their well-being. However, current research shows that the absence of discrimination is not enough to provide high-quality care.
Nurses and other professionals should also demonstrate cultural competency when talking to and treating patients. This concept refers to the knowledge, understanding, and respect for cultural characteristics that patients may have (Brach et al., 2019). For example, race, cultural background, or disability may affect how a person interacts with the world. Scholarship investigating the impact of cultural competence demonstrates that it can go beyond successful patient communication and improve patient outcomes.
Relevance
The discussion surrounding cultural competency and its effect on patient health is highly relevant to modern care. It is well-known that many individuals encounter disparities when trying to access care (Sharifi et al., 2019). For some, barriers to treatment may be financial, while others may feel uncomfortable or scared talking to providers or sharing their issues.
Cultural competency aims to deal with the issue of treatment hesitancy and establish a better relationship between the patient and the nurse. Nurses working in diverse communities cannot ignore the importance of understanding the specific issues that patients may face daily. Thus, they should develop cultural competency and learn how to approach patients to provide medical care.
Emerging Trends
The trends in researching patient outcomes impacted by cultural competency show several notable findings. First, a link is established between the nurse’s competency and the quality of patient-provider communication. By understanding and incorporating the patient’s cultural background into their care, the nurse reaches out to the patient and builds trust (Chae et al., 2020). As a result, patients are more responsive and open to sharing information or listening to recommendations.
Second, as an outcome of improved communication, patient safety is increased. Providers with a trusting relationship can lower the risk of adverse events and treatment resistance (Flynn et al., 2020). Furthermore, improved cultural competency also positively affects patients’ willingness to access care, thus reducing the rate of untreated conditions (Handtke et al., 2019).
Patient Identity
Improving cultural competency requires nurses to develop their communication skills and learn how to interact with patients. It is vital to understand how to approach patients’ cultural backgrounds respectfully. According to Stubbe (2020), the nurse should get acquainted with the local community and learn about potential health disparities. For example, if the area has many immigrant households, patients in the local hospital may encounter a language barrier and require additional cultural training.
A nurse should actively listen to the patient’s needs and values during the visit. For example, asking about one’s pronouns, inquiring about the patient’s goals for this visit, and asking about previous instances of discrimination are ways to determine how to build trust with the patient (Stubbe, 2020; Handtke et al., 2019). Giving patients a chance to speak about their experiences reveals their unique needs based on their cultural background.
Recommendations
Many approaches to improving cultural competency exist in modern scholarship. Healthcare organizations can provide language assistance to patients and introduce other professionals to bridge the gap between healthcare and patients’ cultural needs. However, nurses can also enhance their practice to improve patient outcomes.
One standard recommendation is the LEARN model, which can be implemented during each visit to communicate with patients effectively (Chae et al., 2020). First, the nurse should listen to the patient and how they describe the problem. Then, the clinician should explain their perception of this issue.
Third, the nurse should recognize and voice any differences in the views if they arise. Fourth, the nurse may provide recommendations as to which treatment is best for the current situation. Finally, the nurse and the patient should negotiate and discuss the best possible options.
Conclusion
To conclude, cultural competency plays a significant role in patient health. It can help nurses establish a strong and trusting relationship with patients. Patients may rely on nurses’ advice and share valuable information for better treatment recommendations.
Cultural competency is connected to better patient outcomes, as it promotes transparency and lowers patients’ resistance and avoidance of care. To learn about the patient’s identity, nurses should examine the population and ask direct questions without making assumptions. Communication and patient involvement are vital for supporting their cultural needs during each visit.
References
Brach, C., Hall, K. K., Fitall, E. (2019). Cultural competence and patient safety. AHRQ. Web.
Chae, D., Kim, J., Kim, S., Lee, J., & Park, S. (2020). Effectiveness of cultural competence educational interventions on health professionals and patient outcomes: A systematic review. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 17(3), e12326. Web.
Flynn, P. M., Betancourt, H., Emerson, N. D., Nunez, E. I., & Nance, C. M. (2020). Health professional cultural competence reduces the psychological and behavioral impact of negative healthcare encounters. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26(3), 271. Web.
Getty. (2019). A nurse shaking a patient’s hand [Photograph]. Web.
Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & Mösko, M. (2019). Culturally competent healthcare–A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organizations and a model of culturally competent healthcare provision. PloS One, 14(7), e0219971. Web.
Messinger, H. (2022). Helping transgender patients navigate health care [Photograph]. Penn Medicine. Web.
Sharifi, N., Adib-Hajbaghery, M., & Najafi, M. (2019). Cultural competence in nursing: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 99, 103386. Web.
Stubbe, D. E. (2020). Practicing cultural competence and cultural humility in the care of diverse patients. Focus, 18(1), 49-51. Web.