Cultural Analysis - Research Paper Example

Cultural Analysis Introduction Cultural sensitivity is important in nursing. There will be improved patient-nurse communication if there is a bridge between culture of medicine and the patient’s beliefs. Such case is based on the nationality and ethnic heritage of the patient and the nurse. Every nurse wants to leave a positive effect on the patient’s health. The nurse must be cultural sensitive all the time (Tucke, 2011). Studies indicate the many challenges associated with working across cultures. The paper shall give recommendations to nurses who face the culture problem. It will further discuss the why it is important for nurses to recognize the patients’ cultures, and how cultural sensitivity could affect nurse-client relationship (Cirillo, 2013). 2. Health care practices in Panama There was a cultural research template about the Panama country. Additionally, the researcher conducted an interview with a Panama resident. From the interview and the research, the Panama people believe that God brings the illness, and He alone can cure it. The Panamanians believe that praying for a baby will make it immune to diseases. Such case indicates that the Panamanians health beliefs lie in praying to God. Additionally, the Panamanians do not believe that eating certain foods would make them healthy. Eating well and exercises are the next options. Praying to God is the first option to live a healthy life. The Panamanians respect the elderly, and they are in charge of the extended family. The grandparents in Panama live with the parents and the children. When they get too old, the family takes care of them at home. The Panamanians believe that the children do the deeds that the parents do to their grandparents. From the research and the interview, it is evident that the Panamanians do not fear death. They embrace death, and they honor their dead ones. When a person dies in Panama, it will take the family three days to bury the dead one. Furthermore, someone can conclude after studying both the interview and the research that the Panama people do not have a specific lifestyle. However, there are several differences noted in the interview and the research. The interviewee argues that she regularly visits the doctor. The doctor advises the interviewee on her health progress. The interviewee notes that although there were poor health deliveries in Panama, she would still have access to health care. The research indicates how the Panamanians believe in God for provision of good health care. Additionally, the interviewee indicated that she constantly eats rice, chicken, empanadas, plantains, and fried yucca. She says those are her family’s dietary habits. The research discussed how most Panamanians rely on game and fish for sources of proteins. Furthermore, they depend on corn, maize, and Kuna roast bananas for the source of food. Synthesis People from Panama love each other a lot. There are situations where many members of the Panamanian patients would crowd in the patient’s hospital room. Additionally, nurses would understand that the Panamanian women involve family members in medical decision. For instance, if a nurse wants to conduct a cesarean delivery to a young Panamanian girl, the nurse has to consult with the family members. The nurse has an obligation of explaining the reason of cesarean delivery in order for the family members to understand. There are situations where elderly Panamanian residents visit the hospital. Clinicians should be aware that addressing such patients should involve much respect. Every elderly patient has to answer certain questions in the hospital. The clinicians that deal with such type of patients should act in a respectable way. For instance, the clinician should use the preferred mode of address to attend to the patients. Every health care provider has to understand that the Panamanians believe God is the one who could cure them. Medical care is just the second option. When a clinician meets a patient from the Panama, he should confirm that they are not turning away God’s assistance, but supplementing on His assistance. Furthermore, Physicians who deal with Panamanians should take their time to interview them on the causes of the illness. The physician should be broad in asking the questions and should cover areas such as lack of food, lack of social support, or the reasons for the illness. It is evident the patients from Panama would point out to God for the reason they are sick. The patients may ask the health care provider to look out for a spiritual healer who could help cure them. Health care provider should honor the demands of such patients and look out for the spiritual healers. If a Panamanian patient dies, the physicians should place the body in open caskets. The Panamanians respect the dead and honor them. Placing their bodies in open caskets is a sign that they honor the dead. Additionally, health care providers should ensure there is a spiritual leader in the delivery room when a Panama woman is giving birth. Health care providers should further ensure all the personnel involved in the birth understand the Panamanians belief, God provides protection to the baby. Cultural programs Cultural programs should take into consideration the gender, sexual orientation, taste, beliefs, age, and socioeconomic factors of a certain culture. It will prove the programs are cultural competent. There should be programs that highlight the unique needs of women in communities. With such programs in place, every health care provider would be sensitive to the patient’s reaction. Additionally, it will help to synthesize the behavioral differences that will make physicians ask appropriate questions (Wells, 2000). There should be programs that address the cultural barriers. The programs shall entail reaching out to the cultural leaders who would play a part in understanding the cultural practices. There are non- English speaking patients. The programs should provide assistance, for instance, provision of written translation forms. The health care facility should conduct health fairs in the community. A program like that would create good relations with the locals and the local health care providers. It will make the locals informative. Statistics indicate physicians who understand a particular culture could increase the number of patients in a health facility (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2011). There should be programs meant to reach out to the gay and lesbians in the community. The health care facility should use the program to provide medical talks to this particular group. It is a way of understanding the culture of the particular segment of the community. Additionally, there should be a training program for the other hospital staff such as the front desk members. The program should cover cultural sensitivity. It would help in improving patient experience in the health care facility (Fleming, 2001). Personal reflection Healthcare provision is still behind in upper middle class countries. People in Panama have no confidence in the health care provision. They believe God is the only alternative for curing diseases. It made the researcher believe the level of education in Panama is still behind. Furthermore, civilization has not taken root in most parts of Panama. Inspired by this conclusion, the researcher argued that there are potential opportunities in health care and education sectors in Panama. To understand the womens position in the Panamanian’s society, the interviewee gave an in depth discussion. The specific questions were how the marriage customs were practiced, attitude about separation, how women express modesty, and roles of women in the society. The answers for the questions were different from what the researcher expected. It turned out that the women had no major position in Panamanian’s society. The researcher agreed with the interviewee that it would take time for Panama, to embrace the role of women in the society. Conclusion Cultural competency is important in nursing. For a health care provider to be cultural sensitive, he has to understand the roles of gender, sexual orientation, faith, tastes, and socioeconomic status. Physicians have to be sensitive to the unique needs of the Panama people. Sensitivity to their needs will improve the service delivery. Furthermore, asking appropriate questions, which are open-ended, will demonstrate a particular health care provider is cultural sensitive. Communication is an essential tool that will improve patient-doctor relationship. The communication means should be able to bridge the differences between the culture of medicine and Panamanian’s beliefs and practices. References American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2011). Effective patient–physician communication. Committee Opinion No. 492. Cirillo, A. (2013). Cultural Sensitivity in Nursing Homes - Major Issues. Assistedliving, 1-5. Fleming, M. (2001). Delivering culturally effective health care to adolescents. American Medical Association. Tucke, C. (2011). Patient-Centered Culturally Sensitive Health Care. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 1-25. Wells, M. (2000). Beyond cultural competence: a model for individual and institutional cultural development. J Community Health Nurs, 189-199. Read More