The Concept of Cultural Diversity - Term Paper Example

 Value of Diversity Introduction The concept of cultural diversity has a rich theoretical background. Its definition, framework, interpretation and application differ according to perspective. Diversity in culture is eminent and is closely evaluated in terms of their impact and effect on health care. It is in this regard that this essay aims to present what the concept of cultural diversity is. Further, this paper would delve into the challenges this concept has to perceptions of health and illness in the health care profession. Finally, concrete examples of the challenges in Arabic culture, as applied in the health care setting, would be provided for clarity and confirmation. The paper would proffer a critical issue of awareness of cultural diversity in healthcare and describe potential problems and solutions, as required. A hypothesis would thereby be formulated and the appropriate research method in the Methodology section. Secondary data would be used to present theoretical issues to support the hypothesis in the Interpretation section. A summary in the concluding portion would be finally presented to address the issue and synthesize relevant points. Literature Review Statement of an Issue in the Health Care Setting Delaune and Ladner (2006) in their book on Fundamentals of Nursing defined culture as “knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, habits, customs, languages, symbols, rituals, ceremonies, and practices that are unique to a particular group of people”. (p.388) Simple folks ordinarily know culture as a way of life. To enable a health practitioner to incorporate the concept of culture and be able to address the challenges associated in the effective delivery of healthcare, one should be aware of the concept of cultural competence. According to Campinha-Bacote (1996) cultural competence is "a process, not an end point, in which the nurse continuously strives to achieve the ability to effectively work within the cultural context of an individual, family or community from a diverse cultural/ethnic background”. (p.6) The attainment of cultural competence is viewed as a process that links cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, cultural encounter and cultural desire. One critical issue that has been encountered by a friend in the health care setting is the delivery of patient care to foreign patients, particularly from Arabic culture. The pregnant Arabic patient was confined in the hospital to prevent miscarriage. She slipped while taking a bath and was immediately rushed to the hospital to determine the status of her unborn child and her physical health status, as well. The hospital is staffed predominantly by Americans but, luckily, they have a nurse who was from one of the Arab nations. Description of Ramifications of the Issue There are six organizational factors which were identified in two separate studies. When combined, these factors provide a guideline for nursing implications relative to a particular cultural group. The organizational factors presented by Spector (2004) and Stanhope and Lancaster (2004) distinguishes outstanding cultural aspects grouped accordingly, and would assist nurses in providing the appropriate patient care. These factors are: (1) communication; (2) space; (3) time orientation; (4) social organization; (5) environmental control; and (6) biological evaluations. In planning for the appropriate nursing care, the following responsibilities are expected to be performed by nurses: (1) undertake a cultural assessment; (2) formulate nursing diagnoses; (3) identify expected patient outcomes; (4) plan nursing care appropriate to patients’ expectations and cultural context; (5) intervene to address the patient’s nursing diagnosis and (6) evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of the plan of care (Delaune and Ladner 403). Only by being able to firmly establish and understand the concepts of diversity in culture, the basic beliefs, traditions and ways of life of the patient, would the health care practitioner be culturally competent to address the patients’ needs. The culture of the Arab community is rich and diverse in that it is based on the underlying belief in Allah. The challenge for the health care practitioner is to appropriately assess the needs of the patient and understand that her cultural beliefs contribute to her expectations of recovery. In this regard, the health care practitioner would be able to apply the appropriate patient care which is aligned to the expectations of the client. Only then would delivery of patient care be considered effective and successful. Methodology Data Secondary sources would be used to analyze the discourse and to support the hypothesis. Hypothesis To ensure the delivery of appropriate patient care, management must recruit a diverse workforce to address the needs of patients with cultural backgrounds and orientations which are different from that of the home country. Interpretation The health care setting is the most appropriate work place that should practice diversity. Patients who come from different cultures expect health care practitioners to accord them with patient care which is tailored to their beliefs, values and traditions. In this regard, the management of health care organizations must be aware that diversity in culture would affect the effective delivery of health care. In the Guide to Arab Culture: Health Care Delivery to the Arab American Community, Hammad, et.al. presented a clear description of the culture of Arabs in relation to healthcare, to wit: Religion is considered a basic pillar in Islamic prayer and fasting. A health care professional should be aware that Islamic prayer requires it to be done five times a day. The specific times for prayer are usually before sunrise, at noontime, during midday, at sundown and at nighttime. Their praying times should be preceded by a ritual ablution called the wudu. This ritual is considered a performance of washing which includes intention to purify one’s bad acts and the physical washing of parts of the body such as the mouth, nose, face, ears, back of the neck, hands, arms up to the elbows, and feet to the ankles. Patients who are unable to move are exempted from observing the rituals as required. The health care provider and practitioners should be aware that Muslim patients need to exercise the abovementioned obligations as much as they can. Another important cultural practice with regard to religion is fasting. In a lunar month, they observe the Ramadan where one month of fasting from food, drink, sexual activity is adhered to from dawn until dusk. They perceive fasting as a method of physical and spiritual cleansing and purification. Accordingly, “Muslims are exempt from the fast if they are traveling or if their health is jeopardized. Women are not required to fast during menstruation or forty days postpartum. Fasting is dictated by medical considerations while women are pregnant or nursing.”(p. 20) The guide provided by Hammad, et.al. revealed that health care practitioners should take into account that their general pace is slower than those from the Western culture. In fact, they averred that “the general pace of Arab social interaction tends to be slower and unhurried. Arab norms stress the importance of politeness and generosity in social interaction. Within this politeness is a well-developed system of etiquette for greetings and establishing new acquaintances. It is important for a health professional not to rush his or her contact with the Arab client.” (p.28) In addition, their culture stresses the importance of establishing relationships with the family members, not just with the patient. In this regard, Hammad, et.al. (1999) advised that “an outside health professional should seek to establish a relationship of trust with the entire family, not just the patient. A common attitude within hospitals is that the family is an obstructive burden to the patients’ care. For Arab patients, it should be understood that the family’s presence is highly emotionally supportive and important. Therefore, the health professional should make efforts to address both the patient and the family in interactions and should seek to develop their trust. Such a trust is not readily developed, but generally withheld from Arabs until they view the outsider’s character. Once this trust is developed, however, the family can play an important supportive role in health therapy and place much weight on the physician’s opinion.” (p.29). Conclusion Culture defines explicit differences in the orientation and practice of both verbal and non verbal modes of communication which dictate the presentation of these factors. Understanding the concepts of culture in the context of providing health care is relevant because, as Delaune and Ladner (2006) emphasized, it “permits nurses to become familiar with the client as a person instead of focusing only on the illness or problem”. (p. 403) A comprehensive understanding of cultural concepts and challenges would assist nurses in becoming culturally competent, meaning, being adept in providing the appropriate patient care depending on the client’s cultural expectations for health care. References Campinha-Bacote, J., Yahle, T., Langenkamp, M. (1996). The challenge of cultural diversity for nurse educators. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 27 (2), 59-64. Delaune, S.C. and Ladner, P.K. (2006). Fundamentals of Nursing: Standards & Practice. Delmar Learning. Singapore. Pp. 388, 403. Hammad, A. , Kysia, R., Rabah, R., Hsassoun, R. & Connelly, M. (1999). Guide to Arab Culture: Health Care Delivery to the Arab American Community. ACCESS Community Health Center. Pp. 12, 13, 20. Retrieved on 04 April 2010. Spector, R.E. (2004). Cultural diversity in health and illness. Prentice-Hall, NJ. Pp. 256 – 265. Stanhope, M. and Lancaster, J. (2004). Community and Public Health Nursing. St. Louis, MO. Pp. 187 – 194. United Nations. (2006). Welcome to the Arabic Language Programme. Retrieved on 03 April 2010 from Yosef, ARO. (2008). Health Beliefs, Practice, and Priorities for Health Care of Arab Muslims in the United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, Vol. 19, No. 3, 284-291. Read More