2. The nurse manager of an ambulatory care clinic has noted an increased number

Question

2. The nurse manager of an ambulatory care clinic has noted an increased number of visits by patients from different countries and cultures, including patients from Mexico and other Latin American countries. Concerned about meeting the needs of this culturally diverse population, the nurse manager convenes a staff meeting to discuss this change in patient demographics, and to query the staff about any learning needs they have related to the care of these patients. (Learning Objective 3) a. What strategy to avoid stereotyping clients from other cultures should the nurse include in this meeting? b. Identify culturally sensitive issues to be discussed in the staff meeting. technician on the staff complains that some patients never make eye contact, and this makes it difficult for him to complete his work. How should the nurse respond?

Explanation / Answer

a] Stereotyping means having preconceived ideas about a population or a group of people belonging to a race, a religious sect or a region. Stereotyping can be like having either a good or a bad impression about the group of people. To avoid stereotyping of patients by the attending staff, the nurse will have to educate them on dealing with the patients on humanitarian grounds. A person who is sick and needs medical attention should not be treated as belonging to any ethnic or religious group but just as a person who needs help to save his/her life. A sick person is just a sick person and feels pain and discomfort just the same. So, sticking to the pledge that doctors and nurses take i.e serving the sick without any bias and with utmost honesty and efficiency, should be followed strictly.

It would be of great help if the staff is given a short briefing about the cultural practices, food habits and religious beliefs of the main migrant community so that a better understanding and empathy for the patients develops in the attending staff.

b] The main thing that can prove to be a hurdle while treating patients with other cultural groups is communication. Migrant ethnic groups have their own language and many times are not familiar with the language of the country they have migrated to. This communication gap might make it difficult for the attendants to understand what the patient is trying to convey. Also, the patients might not be able to fully understand the medical instructions given by the nurse or the doctor.

Another sensitive issue could be the religious beliefs and practices of the migrant community. Certain things, like some kinds of food or clothing, can be a taboo in some communities. This will need to be handled carefully, without hurting the sentiments of the patients.

So, pushing everything aside, the main concern of the nursing staff should be to attend the patients and treat them in the possible way, keeping in mind their duty.

c] One reason of patients not making eye contact could be their lack of confidence and trust. They are in a strange country with a different culture and language. They are unfamiliar with the procedures followed before the actual treatment begins. Obviously, they are in physical discomfort due to their sickness and most probably, are not able to express themselves verbally. All this is enough to shake the confidence of the strongest of people.

In such a situation, the first thing that the attendant should do is to make the patient feel emotionally secure. They should try to empathize with the patient and win over the confidence of the patient. Surely after this, not only will the patient make eye contact but will also begin to confide in the attendant.

So, the nurse should respond in a positive way, pointing out the possible reasons for the lack of eye contact and how to overcome it.

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