Cultural Considerations; Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Fundamentals - @LevelUpRN

Summary

In this video, Meris covers key cultural considerations in nursing, emphasizing the importance of providing culturally competent care. She discusses how understanding a patient's cultural, religious, and spiritual needs enhances care outcomes and highlights potential practices such as language interpretation and dietary preferences based on religious beliefs. Additionally, the video delves into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including therapies like acupuncture and herbal supplements, and their contraindications. Meris encourages nurses to assess the use of CAM during patient intake to ensure safe and effective care. The video concludes with tips for patient communication and cultural sensitivity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting the shared beliefs, values, and customs of different cultures to improve patient care.
• 😀 A cultural assessment helps identify a patient's cultural, religious, and spiritual needs, which can influence their medical care, including medication, therapies, and postmortem care.
• 😀 Ethnocentrism, or believing one's own culture is superior, is detrimental to culturally competent care and should be avoided by healthcare providers.
• 😀 Nurses should begin cultural competency by identifying their own beliefs and values to better understand their perspective and provide effective care.
• 😀 Patients have a legal right to medical interpreters, and it is important to use trained medical interpreters rather than friends or family for translation.
• 😀 When using an interpreter, speak directly to the patient, ask one question at a time, and limit hand gestures to avoid confusion.
• 😀 Different cultural and religious practices may affect patient care, such as dietary restrictions and fasting rituals.
• 😀 Some religious considerations include Jehovah's Witnesses refusing blood products, Muslims avoiding pork and alcohol, and Jewish patients following Kosher diets.
• 😀 It's important to ask patients directly about their religious practices, as individual practices may differ from general beliefs or customs.
• 😀 Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to therapies used alongside or in place of traditional medicine, and healthcare providers should assess their patients' use of CAM to identify any potential contraindications.

Q & A

What is the definition of culture in healthcare?

Culture is the shared beliefs, values, and/or customs influenced by race, geographic location, ethnicity, and language that shape an individual's or group's way of life.

What is culturally competent care, and why is it important?

Culturally competent care involves meeting a patient's religious and cultural needs alongside their health and medical needs. It improves patient care, outcomes, and satisfaction with the care they receive.

What is the purpose of a cultural assessment in nursing?

A cultural assessment is conducted to identify a patient's cultural, religious, and spiritual needs. It helps nurses cater to these needs in a way that aligns with best practices, impacting medication, therapies, and postmortem care.

What is ethnocentrism, and why is it detrimental in nursing?

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. In nursing, this belief negatively affects culturally competent care and can undermine the patient-nurse relationship.

Why should nurses identify their own beliefs and values?

By identifying their own beliefs and values, nurses can become more self-aware, ensuring that their personal biases do not influence patient care and allowing for more effective culturally competent care.

What is the correct procedure when using a medical interpreter?

When using a medical interpreter, speak directly to the patient, not the interpreter. Ask one question at a time, allow the interpreter to convey it, and avoid using excessive hand gestures.

Why should family members or friends not be used as medical interpreters?

Family members or friends should not be used as medical interpreters because they may not fully understand medical terminology, could misinterpret the information, or have personal biases that affect the accuracy of communication.

What are some religious considerations in patient care for Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Jehovah's Witnesses may refuse blood transfusions and blood products, even during surgery. Nurses should respect this preference and explore alternatives when necessary.

What dietary restrictions might patients who follow Islam have?

Patients who follow Islam may avoid pork products, alcohol, and shellfish. They may also have specific fasting requirements during Ramadan and may request accommodations for prayer five times a day.

What are some considerations for patients who follow a Kosher diet?

Patients following a Kosher diet may avoid pork and shellfish. Additionally, meat and dairy should not be combined (e.g., a cheeseburger would not be acceptable).

What is complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and how is it used in patient care?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) includes therapies used alongside (complementary) or instead of (alternative) traditional medicine. It is important to assess a patient's use of CAM during intake to ensure safety and identify any contraindications with conventional treatments.

What are some contraindications for using acupuncture as part of CAM?

Acupuncture may be contraindicated for patients with bloodborne pathogens, as the process of pricking the skin could lead to infection or complications.

What should nurses know about herbal supplements when assessing patients?

Nurses should inquire about the types and quantities of herbal supplements patients are using, as these can interact with prescribed medications and affect patient safety.