English Only in Hospitals and Healthcare Institutions - Essay Example

? English Only in Hospitals and Healthcare s English Only in Hospitals and Health Care s Effective communication remains one of the fundamental enablers of efficiency in the nursing profession. Vast amounts of literature that explore the factors behind effective nursing care cite language and communication skills as key to successful interaction between the nurse and the client. In the recent times, the subject of communication has continued to acquire even more significance due to the phenomena of globalization and liberalization (Meadows, 2002). Alongside these phenomena, the development of transport systems, the easing of restrictions on movements, and innovations in the field of Information Communications and Technology (ICT) have had the effect of widening the application of nursing services within a global context. The cultural aspect of nursing determines the efficiency of nursing care in many parts of the globe. Awareness of cultural differences and cultural diversity remains a necessary skill within the practice of nursing care (Meadows, 2002). Essentially, the aspect of nursing is determined by the ability of the nurse to transcend cultural barriers in order to arrive at the core concerns of the client. Only this way can a nurse be able to dispense effectively the kind of care that would meet the needs of the client in a proper manner. Claims of poor service delivery, professional malpractice, and mishaps in the field of nursing have, sometimes, been attributed to lack of proper communication between the nurse and the client (Miles, & Vallish, 2010). Studies and case analyses have demonstrated that awareness and ability to communicate in multiple languages is a key advantage to the field of nursing. Comparative analyses have shown that nurses with multilingual skills have higher chances of success in healthcare as compared to those with limited skills or with the ability to communicate only in one language (Miles & Vallish, 2010). On this note, it is important to consider the fact that some of the issues that connect to the element of nursing are reducible into the relative capacity to communicate effectively in more than one language. As such, it remains important to consider the fact that nursing depends significantly on the ability to engage appropriately with the client on the aspect of communication. Laws and regulations that limit the aspect of nursing communication to English have notable disadvantages that hinder the aspect of communication as understood within the framework of professionalism. The idea behind the restriction of language to English has often been interpreted in terms of the need to instill some element of order within the nursing profession. It is important to regard the element of communication as an important factor that enables the pursuit of knowledge within the framework of sense as understood together with the element of communication (Meadows, 2002). Essentially, it is important to consider the fact that some of the issues that attend to the issue of communication have significant impacts on service delivery and the communication channels and processes within the departments. Effective communication is important in the processes of diagnosis because it offers special insights into the conditions and backgrounds of the patient. Without proper communication, the nurse will risk taking the wrong details from the patient. The challenge often arises in cases where the patient is not a native speaker of English. Globalization has enabled the migration of people from diverse regions such as Asia, Franco-phone Africa, the Arab world, and other places to English-speaking regions. When nurses are exposed to such people, it becomes difficult for them to communicate effectively. This reality occurs because of the regulations and restrictions that discourage nurses from exploring the possibility of other languages. Quality nursing care is dependent, to a significant degree, on the ability of the nurse, to engage meaningfully with the client, and in a language in which both parties are comfortable. Good communication, according to some studies, will also impact positively on the attitudes and practices of nurses within the profession. Burn-out and work-related stress are some of the consequences that result from difficulties in communication at the work place. In the context of nursing, the restriction to English for all the nurses would have the impact of heightening the difficulties in communication, thus contributing to the high incidence of job dissatisfaction. Patient satisfaction is one of the key objectives of any hospital or healthcare facility. Patient satisfaction is used to measure the level and quality of service within an institution. Communication and feedback are some of the key tenets of patient satisfaction. It would be difficult for a patient to appreciate the kind of services offered if they do not have the capacity to communicate in English. Such patients would feel alienated and may have difficulties adjusting to the situation at the facility. Environmental factors are considered as key to the healing process. Communication creates a mental environment that promotes the essence of socialization within the healthcare facility or hospital. Language determines the nature of patient-client relationship. It forms the link between the need and the service and enables the matching of services in accordance with the levels of need (Meadows, 2002). A positive relationship between the caregiver and the client is one of the important considerations that promote the healing process. As such, it becomes necessary to consider the effect of services in terms of the overall impact on the healing process. On this note, it becomes necessary to consider the fact that some of the issues that relate to the healing process require the cultivation of effective communication between the institution and the patient. Limiting communication to English would disadvantage many clients who may lack the capacity to communicate meaningfully in the language. One other challenge that emanates from the insistence on English as the only form of communication in nursing relates to career development. Exclusive attachment to English as the only form of communication will tend to lock out the nurse from other possible areas of interest (Meadows, 2002). The nurse will be limited with regard to the areas in which she can comfortably serve with some degree of efficiency. For instance, such a nurse may not be able to seek professional experience in the emerging opportunities in Asia, where English is not a common language. The aspect of career development is one of the most important factors that determine job satisfaction within the nursing profession. According to some scholars, it would be appropriate for the nurses to engage some level of interest into the pursuit of linguistic diversity. Such pursuits will enable them to apply their professional skills in areas that are deficient in healthcare facilities and institutions. In world of increasing emergencies, it is important for the nurses to prepare themselves for the task of engaging in fields and activities that promote the concept of global nursing care. Globalization has encouraged the element of the multilingual within a range of fields and professions (Meadows, 2002). As a profession, nursing is highly dependent on other professions. Occasionally, nurses may transit from their profession to other related professions. As such, flexibility in communication becomes a key advantage. Limiting the action to communication English would shield the nurses from such advantages. In the modern world, exchange programs and migration of labor have emerged to define the nature and practice of nursing. Standardization of services has offered the opportunity and possibility for healthcare facilities to attract labor from any part of the world. Competent nurses from non-English speaking regions would have difficulties adjusting in a situation or environment where communication is limited to English language. While denying such nurses the opportunity to explore their skills beyond the familiarity of their home country, regulations on language will also deny institutions of competent skills from other parts of the world. Further, such regulations will have the long-term impact of shielding the nurses from the necessary exposure that would expand their professional experience and diversity. Finally, it is important to consider the ethics of nursing and healthcare, which enjoins all caregivers to commit their services to all persons requiring their services without regard to matters of background, culture, race, or any other demographic and distinguishing factors. The universal nature of healthcare requires a balanced approach to issues of language and communication. The recognition of the aspect of diversity, which is natural to humanity, remains an important consideration in matters that attend to the practice of nursing and healthcare. It would be appropriate for hospitals and other healthcare institutions to embrace linguistic and cultural diversity in order to dispense services effectively and in ways that mirror the limitless and universal nature of healthcare. References Meadows, G. (2002). Nursing informations: An evolving specialty. Nursing Economics, 20(6), 300-1. Miles, K. S., & Vallish, R. (2010). Creating a personalized professional practice framework for nursing. Nursing Economics, 28(3), 171-80, 189. Read More