Transcultural nursing

STUDY UNIT 3

By C Settley

Outcomes: Transcultural

Nursing Demonstrate a better understanding

of cultural diversity and be sensitive as well as respectful towards the cultures that differ from his/her culture

Demonstrate the understanding of non-material cultures that regulate the culture of people (especially that of patients/clients and his/her colleagues

Facilitate the breaking down of cultural barriers both in the clinical setting and in his/her life

Outcomes: Transcultural

Nursing Discuss transcultural nursing with

regards to:

Defining the concept

Explain the transcultural skills a

nurse need to acquire

Briefly explain the transcultural

variations that need to be taken into

account when nursing patients

The concept:

Transcultural Nursing Is a learned sub field or branch of

nursing which focusses upon the

comparative study and analysis of

cultures with respect to nursing and

health- illness care practices, beliefs

and values with the goal to provide

meaningful and efficacious nursing

care services to people according to

their cultural values and health-illness

context

Transcultural skills a nurse need

to require The nurse who takes her job seriously

and strives to provide optimal nursing,

will find these conflicting cultural

aspects interesting and challenging-

not annoying!

Cultural competence: the

understanding and respect of the

norms, values and convictions of

patients.


to require- The nurse should respect and accept

the various cultural beliefs and

customs

- She should realise that all people are

not exactly like herself

- She should therefore be sensitive to

other cultural and ethnic backgrounds

- Total patient care should take place

- Physical care is important, but cultural

needs should be taken into

consideration


to require- It should be kept in mind that everyone, in

spite of differences are special

- The nurse should notice and deal with cultural differences which might have an impact on effective communication and/or nursing care

- Nursing professionals should deal with cultural differences which might have an impact on effective communication and/or nursing care

- She should provide sensitive assistance to patients who maintain negative beliefs, customs and behaviour and try to guide them towards positive health care

Transcultural variations- Communication

- verbal and non verbal (facial expression, eye contact, touch)

- Eg eye contact….. Is it a sign of respect or not in your culture?

- Watch your patients reactions

- Clear communication and mutual understanding is important

Transcultural variations


Space

Refers to the area surrounding the patient’s body

Certain cultural groups keep a distance between themselves and others while others do not

Such contact-orientated people regard noncontact others as shy, impersonal, boring, cold or rude

Vice versa seen as rude, bossy or pushy

Nurses operate mostly within the personal spaces of patients and must be understanding when someone feels embarrassed or affronted


Time and tempo

Some groups do not attach

importance to punctuality

Some may be irritated when others

arrive late

The nurse normally have to work ‘fast’

– this may seem to the patient that

you are uninterested and they feel that

they do not get the attention that they

deserve


Biological variations

Knowledge of growth, development, nutrition and

other biological factors is important as it influences

nursing care

Some cultures attach positive value to large people

while others are obsessed with being thin

There are also rules for the type of foods and how

they are prepared


Environmental control

Refers to the ability to control factors

in immediate environment


Social institutions

Patterns of behavior

References

http://www.usask.ca/nursing/predepart

ure/section09.php

https://www.uni-

graz.at/en/studying/for-prospective-

students/enrolment-for-applicants-

and-new-entrants/language-

examinations/

http://www.usask.ca/nursing/predeparture/section09.php

Health & Medicine

Transcultural nursing