Cultural and Spiritual Assessment PDF

Cultural and Spiritual Assessment To care for someone, I must know who I am. To care for someone, I must know who the other is. To care for someone, I must be able to bridge the gap between myself and the other. (Jean Watson) Discussion 1.) Personally identify at least two cultures to which you...

Cultural and Spiritual Assessment To care for someone, I must know who I am. To care for someone, I must know who the other is. To care for someone, I must be able to bridge the gap between myself and the other. (Jean Watson) Discussion 1.) Personally identify at least two cultures to which you belong 2.) What defines a ‘culture’? 3.) Why should nurses be concerned about culture? What is Culture Refers to the learned values, beliefs, norms and way of life that influence an individual’s thinking, decisions and actions in certain ways. (College of Nurses) The totality of socially transmitted knowledge values, beliefs, norms and life ways of a particular group that guides their behaviours. (Potter & Perry) Why study cultural considerations in nursing? Helps to understand the impact of culture on families from different backgrounds To learn about different health practices To help us become acutely aware of our personal attitudes, values and beliefs to that we will be better able to help others Multiculturalism in Canada ‘visible minority’ #s are growing Many ‘visible minorities’ were born and raised in Canada Immigration has now outpaced the natural birth rate Most recent immigrants are coming from Asia rather than from Europe “cultural mosaic” vs. “cultural melting pot” Canada as a driving force in the introduction of ‘multiculturalism’ Culture The totality of socially transmitted knowledge of values, beliefs, norms and lifeways of a particular group that guides their thoughts and behaviours It is a dynamic and ever-changing process Has both visible (easily seen) and invisible (less observable) components Can be broken down into subcultures Ethnicity Refers to groups whose members share a social and cultural heritage Members of ethnic groups often feel a sense of common identity Not to be confused with race, which is limited to biological attributes Culture and Socialization Enculturation Socialization into one’s primary culture as a child Acculturation Adapting to and adopting characteristics of a new culture Assimilation Results when people give up their ethnic identity in favor of the dominant culture Cultural Conflicts Ethnocentrism Tendency to hold one’s own way of life as superior to others Cultural Imposition When one uses their own values and lifeways as the absolute guide in dealing with clients and interpreting their behaviours Stereotypes Generalizations about any particular group Discrimination Treating people unfairly based on their group membership Not limited to racial injustice Cultural Awareness Nurses must be tolerant and non-judgmental about client’s beliefs and practices Nurses must be aware of how their own culture may influence how they provide care Cultural sensitivity is part of the Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship Three Types of Nursing Interventions Pertaining to Culturally Sensitive Care Culture care preservation Culture care accommodation Culture care re-patterning. Culturally Congruent Care “The use of sensitive, creative and meaningful care practices to fit with the general values, beliefs and lifeways of clients” May be distinct from the values of the nursing profession and health care system nurses should be continual learners of client’s culture Culturally Competent Care “The explicit use of culturally based care and health knowledge in sensitive, creative and meaningful ways to fit the general lifeways and needs of individuals or groups for beneficial and meaningful health and well-being or to help them face illness, disabilities or death” The nurse must have specific ability, knowledge, sensitivity, openness and flexibility to adjust to differences in cultures  College of Nurses Culturally Sensitive Care Assumptions Self-reflection Acquiring cultural knowledge Facilitating client choice Communicating Working with interpreters Non-verbal strategies Cultural Assessment **Let your client be your teacher** Communication Culture influences how feelings are expressed, what verbal/ non-verbal expressions are appropriate Space There are variations in spatial requirements from individual to individual Cultural Assessment Social Organization Roles and duties of families, ethnic or religious groups units Cultural behaviour is often learned in a family Time social events, holidays, celebrations, festivals and agricultural activities Sense of time Spirituality It is the centre of all aspects of a person’s life It is the act of connecting to systems such as God, nature or other people to find meaning through relationships A highly personal matter A link between mind, body and spirit Spiritual Distress Disruption in the life principle that pervades a person’s entire being and that integrates and transcends one’s biological and psychosocial nature. Ineffective Behaviours Expressed concerns about meaning of life Expressed anger toward God, or greater power Verbalizes inner conflict about faith Stops usual religious practices Blames self Sees illness as punishment Requests spiritual assistance. Adaptive Behaviours Confidence in faith Actions in concurrence with beliefs Take personal responsibility Feelings of self-worth Moral comfort.  Nrsg Interventions Specific to Nrsg Dx of ‘Spiritual Distress’ Recognize the importance of the distress Respect & value the person Provide privacy & personal time Listen if they want to talk Do not offer your own spiritual/religious beliefs Offer spiritual advisor to visit Urge family or friends to visit Provide access to religious services if possible.