Cultural Diversity in the Healthcare Field
Cultural Diversity in the Healthcare field
The Many Faces of Healthcare Cultural Diversity in the Healthcare Field
Carl Hooks
Rasmussen College
Author Note
This research is being submitted on September 16, 2010, for Vicky Philips English class at Rasmussen College by Carl Hooks
Cultural diversity in the medical field is, at times, greatly hindered because of religious beliefs, language barriers, and the hierarchies of diverse cultures and these have the propensity to affect the continuity of care for the patients. “Every person has different aspects that constitute their identities, according to how they see themselves….This means that seeing an individual in terms of their identity can be unproductive.” (Weaver, 2009). Nursing personnel, in particular, have to take into consideration any and all cultural differences between the patient and the nursing staff. These differences vary in as many ways as there are different ethnic groups in any particular area.
Religious beliefs can hinder the nursing care of patients. There are many different religious beliefs in as many different religions. The religious belief most common in the United States, of course, is the Jehovah Witness who refuses transfusions. This religion has a strong belief in preserving the soul before the body. Other religions have other beliefs that we may not understand, but need to respect and try to work around to care for the patient. “If people believe it is God who confers both health and illness, it may be very difficult to get them to take their medication or change their behavior….they would see no point worrying about high blood pressure or bacteria when moral behavior is the key to good health.” (Galanti, 2001). This kind of belief will impede the medical staff and their approach to a medical cure. Whenever possible, staff should attempt of incorporate both religious beliefs and medicine to care for the
The Many Faces of Healthcare Cultural Diversity in the Healthcare Field
Carl Hooks
Rasmussen College
Author Note
This research is being submitted on September 16, 2010, for Vicky Philips English class at Rasmussen College by Carl Hooks
Cultural diversity in the medical field is, at times, greatly hindered because of religious beliefs, language barriers, and the hierarchies of diverse cultures and these have the propensity to affect the continuity of care for the patients. “Every person has different aspects that constitute their identities, according to how they see themselves….This means that seeing an individual in terms of their identity can be unproductive.” (Weaver, 2009). Nursing personnel, in particular, have to take into consideration any and all cultural differences between the patient and the nursing staff. These differences vary in as many ways as there are different ethnic groups in any particular area.
Religious beliefs can hinder the nursing care of patients. There are many different religious beliefs in as many different religions. The religious belief most common in the United States, of course, is the Jehovah Witness who refuses transfusions. This religion has a strong belief in preserving the soul before the body. Other religions have other beliefs that we may not understand, but need to respect and try to work around to care for the patient. “If people believe it is God who confers both health and illness, it may be very difficult to get them to take their medication or change their behavior….they would see no point worrying about high blood pressure or bacteria when moral behavior is the key to good health.” (Galanti, 2001). This kind of belief will impede the medical staff and their approach to a medical cure. Whenever possible, staff should attempt of incorporate both religious beliefs and medicine to care for the
References: ABOUL-ENEIN, B., & AHOUL-ENEIN, F. (2010). THE CULTURAL GAP DELIVERING HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO ARAB AMERICAN POPULATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 17(1), 20-23. Retrieved from Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition database Armada, A., & Hubbard, M. (2010). Diversity in Healthcare: Time to Get REAL!. Frontiers of Health Services Management, 26(3), 3-17. Retrieved from EBSCO MegaFILE database. Black, P. (2010). Cultural and religious beliefs in stoma care nursing. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 4(4), 184-188. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database. Weaver, D. (2009). Respect the diversity and difference of individuals. Nursing & Residential Care, 11(12), 590-593. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.