Write a reflection journal (250-300 words) to outline what has been discovered about your professional practice, personal strengths and weaknesses, and additional resources that could be introduced in a given situation to influence optimal outcomes. Each week there will be a specific focus to use in your reflection. Integrate leadership and inquiry into the current practice. Please make sure to address all areas in your writing.
Topic Focus: Practices of Culturally Sensitive Care and Ensuring the Integrity of Human Dignity in the Care of all Patients
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected.
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Practices of Culturally Sensitive Care and Ensuring the Integrity of Human Dignity in the Care of all Patients
This week’s practicum experience focused on culturally sensitive care to promote human dignity in the care of all patients. According to the College of Nurses of Ontario (2022), providing culturally sensitive care is a crucial aspect of patient-centered care. During the practicum experience, I was able to attend to patients of different cultural backgrounds without any discrimination based on these differences. The very first step I took before attending to patients is the awareness of their cultural background, values, and beliefs to provide culturally sensitive care (Kaihlanen et al., 2019). This first step is essential in creating an environment that is sensitive and supportive of patients’ cultural differences.
To achieve culturally sensitive care and ensure the integrity of human dignity, I practiced culturally sensitive communication throughout the entire practicum experience. Even this kind of communication still requires the awareness of one’s own cultural beliefs (Brooks et al., 2019). Cultural competence helps in breaking down barriers that hinder patients from receiving the intended care. Culturally sensitive care increases the safety of the patients, reduces inefficiencies, reduces care disparities, and reduces costs (Tulane University, 2022). Cultural competence improves communication, which in turn leads to improved patient outcomes. It helps nurses to understand patients and communicate with them effectively (The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, 2021). Components of culturally sensitive care include cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, and cultural skills. During the practicum experience, I considered all these components to ensure quality patient care.
References
Brooks, L. A., Manias, E., & Bloomer, M. J. (2019). Culturally sensitive communication in healthcare: A concept analysis. Collegian, 26(3), 383-391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2018.09.007
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2022). Culturally Sensitive Care. https://www.cno.org/en/learn-about-standards-guidelines/educational-tools/ask-practice/culturally-sensitive-care/
Kaihlanen, A. M., Hietapakka, L., & Heponiemi, T. (2019). Increasing cultural awareness: qualitative study of nurses’ perceptions about cultural competence training. BMC nursing, 18(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-019-0363-x
Tulane University. (2022). Improved Patient Outcomes. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/cultural-competence-in-health-care/
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. (2021). Importance of Cultural Competence in Nursing. https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/insight/health-care/the-importance-of-cultural-competence-in-nursing/