Briefly Introduce A Person You Have Recently Cared For
Briefly Introduce A Person You Have Recently Cared For In Your Nursing
Briefly introduce a person you have recently cared for in your nursing practice. (Be sure not to include any identifying information that would be protected by HIPAA!) Discuss the person’s view of the cause of their health condition, the person’s health literacy, and the person’s identity on the continuum of privilege-disadvantage (Table 4 in the Lor article on p. 361). What was (or would be) your approach to care for him/her in a culturally competent way? Submission Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
Paper For Above instruction
In contemporary nursing practice, addressing the individual needs and cultural backgrounds of patients is essential to providing holistic and effective care. This paper presents an introductory case study of a patient recently cared for in a clinical setting, emphasizing the patient's perceived etiology of their illness, health literacy level, and sociocultural identity within the privilege-disadvantage continuum. Additionally, it offers a detailed discussion on culturally competent nursing approaches tailored to this patient's unique context.
Patient Introduction and Background
The patient, whom I will refer to as Mr. A, is a middle-aged male diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. He was admitted to the hospital with poorly controlled blood glucose levels, recurrent fatigue, and signs of peripheral neuropathy. Mr. A is of Hispanic descent, lives in an urban area, and is employed as a construction worker. He speaks primarily Spanish, with limited English proficiency, which influenced his communication with healthcare providers. Mr. A's socioeconomic status is moderate, and he has a limited educational background, having completed only a few years of formal schooling.
He expressed the belief that his health issues stem from a combination of stress, dietary habits, and a hereditary predisposition. He believes that his condition is partly due to spiritual factors and sometimes attributes it to "God's will," reflecting a culturally influenced health belief system. His understanding of diabetes and its management was limited, indicating a low level of health literacy, complicated further by language barriers and educational limitations.
Privilege-Disadvantage Continuum
Using the continuum presented in Lor et al. (2016), Mr. A's position aligns more toward the disadvantaged end, considering his limited educational attainment, language barriers, and socioeconomic status. Such factors may influence his access to healthcare resources, health-related decision-making, and trust in medical institutions. Recognizing these dimensions allows for a more tailored approach to his care, acknowledging the social determinants impacting his health.
Approach to Culturally Competent Care
Providing culturally competent care to Mr. A involved multiple strategies rooted in respecting his cultural beliefs, curtailing barriers, and supporting his autonomy. First, I ensured the availability of professional medical interpreters to facilitate effective communication, which is crucial for understanding his health condition and treatment plan. Respecting his spiritual beliefs, I engaged with cultural liaisons and incorporated discussions about traditional practices when appropriate, avoiding dismissiveness and fostering trust.
I tailored health education materials to his literacy level, utilizing visual aids and simple language in Spanish, to improve his understanding of diabetes management, diet, and medication adherence. Recognizing that social determinants such as income and education influence health behaviors, I collaborated with social workers to connect him with community resources, including affordable healthy food options and diabetes education programs tailored for Spanish-speaking populations.
Additionally, I demonstrated respect and empathy for his cultural background by actively listening, avoiding assumptions, and acknowledging his values. I emphasized partnership in care, encouraging him to participate actively in decisions affecting his treatment, thus promoting his sense of control and self-efficacy.
Conclusion
Understanding and respecting patients' cultural contexts, health beliefs, and social circumstances are imperative to delivering effective nursing care. In the case of Mr. A, applying a person-, family-, and culture-centered approach facilitated trust, improved communication, and promoted health outcomes. As healthcare providers, nurses must continuously develop cultural humility and adapt interventions that honor individual differences, ensuring equitable and respectful patient care.
References
- Lor, M., Crooks, N., & Tluczek, A. (2016). A proposed model of person-, family-, and culture-centered nursing care. Nursing Outlook, 64(4), 352–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2016.04.005
- Carteret, M. (2015, October). Reading Between the Head Nods | Dimensions of Culture. Retrieved from https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/849963
- Field Report. Retrieved from https://www.commonwealthfund.org
- New England Journal of Medicine, 355(3), 229-231.
- Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health. National Academies Press.