Describe why the patient’s culture is so important to be aware of in the perinatal setting.
Cultural diversity in healthcare settings has a significant contribution to the quality of care and the quality of outcomes that are derived. Nurses in their day to day practice meet and interact with patients of different cultures and holding varying views on various health aspects. Nurses have to be proud of their culture just as much as the patient is equally proud of their culture. However, in the healthcare setting, it is important that the nurse recognizes that this setting calls for an interaction of the patient’s culture, the nurses culture and the workplace culture where all must accommodate each other and work together for the benefit of the patient (Hill, Hunt & Hyrkäs, 2012). The perinatal setting is one of the areas of healthcare where cultural differences may affect the delivery of care. This is essentially because different communities hold strong views on birth, pregnancy and life-related issues (Alves et al., 2015).
Describe two strategies the RN can take to provide patient centered care and show respect for these patients and families?
Different cultures have rituals that are associated or expected at birth or during pregnancy and these views and beliefs have a significant influence on the mother’s perception of birth. These beliefs, views and rituals cannot be ignored and this implies that the nurse has to make a deep understanding of the culture of the patient.
Strategy 1: Develop the confidence and gain the trust of the patient: In this strategy, the nurse has to allow the patient to tell all cultural issues that they expect to undergo in pregnancy and at birth. Once the nurse has learned about the issues, the next phase is to ask the patient to state what they expect the nurse to do form them as well as sate any reservations they may hold. The nurse as an educator will negotiate with the family informing them of what the policy and nursing roles regard on pregnancy and therefore seek a common ground for delivering appropriate care (Hill, Hunt & Hyrkäs, 2012).
Strategy 2: Prioritize the client’s needs and integrate a female member in the care team: Secondly, the nurse has will prioritize the issues that are the key to successful pregnancy and birth such as diet, nutrition, rest, moderate exercise, labor support and management of pain and discuss these with the patients from their perspective. Each time, the nurse has to educate and seek a common ground (Alves et al., 2015). In those cases where the nurse has different beliefs and values, it is important to recognize that the patient has a right to choose what they would wish in regards their culture but as long as that is within the scope of safety and quality care practices. Integrating a member of female gender in the team will help the patient overcome the fear of the opposite gender on issues of reproduction and birth.
What if a member of the health care team does not support strategies planned to meet the cultural requests of the patient and family?
As much as the member of the care team does have reservations, other members of the care team can take a lead role and negotiate with the resisting member on those other activities they can help during the care process. This will protect the patient and the nurse or care team member from feeling disrespected from a cultural view (Alves et al., 2015).
Can you please add two specific strategies that the male nurses can take to provide patient centered care?
References
Alves, C. N., Wilhelm, L. A., Barreto, C. N., Santos, C. C. D., Meincke, S. M. K., & Ressel, L. B. (2015). Prenatal care and culture: an interface in nursing practice. Escola Anna Nery, 19(2), 265-271.
Hill, N., Hunt, E., & Hyrkäs, K. (2012). Somali immigrant women’s health care experiences and beliefs regarding pregnancy and birth in the United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 23(1), 72-81.
