Who is the “Other”? cultural sensitivity in patient situations

47^th Global Nursing & Healthcare Conference

March 01-03, 2018 | London, UK

Martha C Baker

Ozarks Technical Community College, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Cultural awareness and sensitivity is essential to be able to care for our patients well. While this statement seems to be readily apparent and universally agreed upon, many nurses and students struggle to accomplish this task. This presentation will provide the practicing nurse or educator with an understanding of the concept of cultural sensitivity and awareness. The idea of cultural competence in every situation has evolved as it is unrealtistic to be â�?�?competentâ�? in all cultural encounters. What nurses and educators can do is to be culturally sensitive. This approach preserves the dignity and respect for the patient and their cultural heritage. In addition, it respects the person of the nurse and their cultural heritage as well. We can educate ourselves as nurses to guide the patient of a different cultural through the maze of the health care systems by using some general guidlines in approaching the patient situations. We can use these guidelines to help us make decisions about what cultural practices we can accomodate and recognize possible sources of conflict. If nurses recognize the possible area of conflict, problems solving can begin early with the goal of avoiding the conflict from occuring.