A) Acquire cultural knowledge of diversity and similarities within cultures as it relates to health and illness behavior
I believe the main purpose of the transcultural nursing course was to help students gain cultural knowledge around the diversity and similarities of different cultures. Knowing similarities and differences of these different cultures is an essential tool to be a culturally competent nurse. I believe that I have met this outcome since I have profoundly furthered my knowledge about cultural diversity and similarities in regards to patient’s health and illness behaviors. The various weekly discussions have made me realize the importance of understanding and having the necessary information when caring for patients from different cultures. Case scenarios made me grasp that without all the information on a patient’s cultural rituals, values or beliefs, a patient’s behavior may be mistaken for a medical condition. Srivastava (2017) goes into detail about the importance for health care providers to have cultural knowledge. He states that being familiar with cultural diversity promotes a good nurse-client relationship and patient well-being. (p.35) I believe that I have also met this learning outcome based on my nursing practice. In the past months I have been applying my new-found knowledge to my nursing practice. Now that I understand that most cultures will be different from my own and that I must learn to accept other cultures I feel more confident when providing culturally sensitive health care. The course has highlighted the importance for healthcare providers to really come to terms with their own culture in order to care for others. Accepting a patient from a different culture in a non-judgmental way with a good attitude is key in promoting culturally sensitive health care
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The article by Suzanne Gilson and Nish Cherian (2019) and the article by Wadea Hason Becheri (2007) both relate to this learning outcome for different reasons. Firstly, they both outline the importance for nurses to understand cultural diversity because of the increasing diverse Canadian population. Because of this, they also indicate that it is important for nursing students to learn and understand cultural diversity and similarities in order to provide culturally competent care to patients. Both articles relate to the learning outcome because they both specify the need for cultural knowledge around cultural diversity and similarities due to the fact that the nursing field requires constant modifications. It requires constant changing because of the continuous change in patients. If nurses and nursing students achieve this outcome, they will be more likely to provide culturally sensitive care to their patients.
B) Identify skills of effective communication approaches towards providing culturally sensitive care among clients and their families
This course outcome was reached as it was discussed many times in several different weeks. I believe that I have met the outcome because I feel entirely more comfortable and at ease when communicating with patients. Communication is the key in providing culturally sensitive care. It allows us to identify a patient needs, if they are in pain, their values and their beliefs. In week 5 of the lecture notes different types of cross-cultural communication types and the skills required to promote effective communication are outlined. In order to have a good therapeutic relationship with a patient, health care providers and nursing students should always have good communication with them. Effective communication in the health care setting is upheld when there is commitment, respectful engagement and bi-directional conversation from both the health care provider and the patient. This outcome has also been reached because I have learned that it is very important to accept a patient’s culture, especially when communicating. Communication can especially be challenging when trying to communicate bad news to a patient. Although communication is part of the health care role, Srivastava (2007) explains that effective communication is a two-way street between the health care provider and the patient. In order for the health care provider to have good culturally competent communication, it is also the patient’s duty to communicate any concerns, beliefs or thoughts to the health care provider. This is how I believe I have met this course learning outcome.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The articles by Barbara A. Mullan, Emily J. Kothe (2010) and Lucy Webb, Karen Holland (2011) both relate to this learning outcome because they outline the importance for culturally sensitive communication when caring for patients from different cultures. They also describe the significance of developing valuable communication skills towards patients, carers and other members of the multidisciplinary team. Nursing students should familiarize themselves to the communication techniques necessary to then use them in their nursing practice when they transition into the health care provider role. As the authors outline, the first skill needed is to build a culturally sensitive therapeutic relationship with the patients. Once this is done, it is easier for the health care provider and the patient to identify their values and beliefs.
C) Describe trends in global health and the implications for cultural diversity in an increasingly connected world
With the number of Canadian immigrants increasing it is very important for healthcare providers to understand the priorities of global health and cultural diversity. I have therefore met this learning outcome because of the large focus this course had on learning about the different culture’s values, beliefs and trends. I have been really focusing my learning on why culturally competent knowledge is important and required in today’s health care settings. With the increasing number of immigrants and the increasing number of trends in global health, it is important for health care providers and nursing students to understand how to care for newly immigrating patients. Throughout this course several global health trends and different methods health care providers can address these trends were outlined. A different method I used to achieve this outcome was by applying everything I learned to my nursing practice. For example, I have learned through this course and through my practice that several cultures do not believe in the usefulness of immunizations. Even though I might believe in vaccination, I must understand and accept the fact that some cultures will refuse because they believe it is the best thing for them. In this scenario I must learn to put my values and beliefs aside and accept and care for them around their own values and beliefs. One culture may refuse any vaccination while another might want every possible vaccine. This reflects the importance of understanding cultural diversity. I believe this case scenario has helped me achieve this learning outcome as I will continue to practice it in my daily nursing practice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The article by Betty Pierre Dennis and Ernestine B. Small (2003) and the one by Margeret Purden (2005) both relate to this learning outcome. They both reflect on the need for increased healthcare provider cultural knowledge because of the increase in diverse Canadian population. The authors explain that issues may be raised when immigrants have different values and beliefs that are different from our conventional care methods. Both articles focus on the importance of health care providers education around culturally competent care. Providers must start providing culturally sensitive care to patients, better than in the past. Purden explains that in the past year’s health care institutions and community services are struggling to answer to the various needs of people from these different cultural groups. This is why, culturally competent knowledge must be taught to nursing students.
