Cultural Diversity
Lisa B. Flatt, RN, MSN, CHPN
Objectives
• Describe Role of nurse
• Identify differences between
complimentary and alternative therapies
and folk healing
• Define spiritual health
• Describe methods to provide culturally
sensitive care
• Understand benefits of holistic care
Terms ( pg. 134)
Culture
• Learned and passed from generation to
•
•
•
generation…….
The group has a set of values, beliefs, customs,
traditions, language, behaviors
Diversity – differences between cultures/people
Awareness – recognition of what is different and
the same (from sources not from myths and
stereotypes)
The nurse who is culturally
sensitive:
• Using last names (or what they choose to
be called)
• Honest about lack of
knowledge/understanding
• Use terms they use, ie. Gay/lesbian, etc..
• Respect them as individuals
The culturally competent nurse…
• Recognize differences
• Add unique aspects to care plan
• Works within their beliefs to address and
resolve health problems
Cultural Concerns
• Stereotyping
• Influencing factors
• Socioeconomic factors
• Age-related perspectives
• Time orientation
• Personal space
• Food and nutrition
Healthy People 2010
• Risk reduction goals
• Coronary artery disease
• Lipidemia control
• Smoking cessation
• Reducing homicides
• Brain injuries in the elderly
Health Care Beliefs
• Hispanics and native Americans = health –
balance and harmony
• European Americans = illness has known
cause that can be treated and cured
Spiritual Concepts and Practices
• Folk or faith healers and folk remedies
• African Americans – “root doctor”, voodoo
priestess
• Poultices, herbs, oils, roots
• Shaman Native American
• Acupuncture, Reiki
• Genetic differences between cultures
Alternative Medicine
• Accupuncture
• Reiki
• Roots
• Herbs
• Weird things (buffalo pee, rhino horns,
Tiger penis’)
Complementary Therapies
• Non-conventional treatment, enhances
Western medicine
• Manipulative therapies (PT,OT, massage)
• Urine on jellyfish stings (acidic, vinegar)
• Yoga
• Therapeutic touch
Nursing Process:
• Nurse: provider of care, manager of care,
teacher, pt advocate
• Assessment
• Analysis
• Planning
• Implementation – rationale
• Evaluation