This module explored various cultural challenges
nurses experience when providing healthcare within the community. Various
sub-cultures were identified, including: illicit drug users; homeless people;
and conscientious objectors to immunisation. Key topics were included: immunisation
and ear infections amongst Indigenous communities; rural and remote healthcare
barriers; chronic health conditions; and government programs committed to
addressing community health issues. There was also an interview with Rosalie,
who discusses how her disabled daughter, Rikki, should be cared for in respite.
To prevent breakdown of care situations, the interview highlighted the
importance of assessing, acknowledging and addressing the needs of carers; and
recognising that vulnerable patients must be treated with dignity, compassion,
and respect (Ewing, Austin, Diffin, & Grande, 2015).
Overall, this module taught me that open communication
is integral to effective community nursing, in order to gain mutual trust,
respect and acceptance; because cultural understanding can support and empower
all community members (Grant & Luxford, 2011). I also discovered that one’s
own inherent health beliefs can affect patient advocacy regarding certain
treatment choices (Costa dos Reis & Mendes Costa, 2014). Furthermore, I discovered
accessibility to primary health services is arduous within rural communities;
and that prevalent stigmatic views prevent homeless people and
substance misusers from utilising urban healthcare services (Moore,
Manias, & Gerdtz, 2011; Ward, Humphreys, McGrail, Wakerman, & Chisholm,
2015).
As a nurse, I
hope to overcome these barriers, by formulating realistic healthcare plans that
utilises multi-services within the community, in order to achieve optimal patient
outcomes. I also pledge to be non-judgemental and respectful of patients’
healthcare choices- regardless of my personal beliefs. However, I will still explore
the reasoning behind their choices, because research shows that health
professionals are the most influential in helping consumers make informed
decisions about their treatment options- particularly regarding children’s
vaccination (Department of Health, 2015). Therefore, active listening will not
only help me to build a therapeutic nurse-client relationship; it will also
afford me opportunities to offer scientifically valid healthcare advice- if
clientele knowledge appears misguided or incorrect. This includes honest
disclosure of all risks and benefits associated with treatment options, in
order to obtain informed consent (Truskett, 2014).
REFERENCES
Costa dos Reis, A., & Mendes Costa, M. (2014).
Caring for immigrants: From interacting in practice to building nurses’
cultural competencies. Revista De Enfermagem Referência, 4(2),
61-68. doi:10.12707/RIII13118
Department of Health. (2015). Immunise
Australia program: Myths and realities. Retrieved
from http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/myths-about-immunisation
Ewing, G., Austin, L., Diffin, J., & Grande, G. (2015).
Developing a person-centred approach to carer assessment and support. British
Journal of Community Nursing, 20(12), 580-584
doi:10.12968/bjcn.2015.20.12.580
Grant, J., & Luxford, Y. (2011). 'Culture it's a
big term isn't it'? An analysis of child and family health nurses'
understandings of culture and intercultural communication. Health
Sociology Review, 20(1), 16-27. doi:10.5172/hesr.2011.20.1.16
Low Aromatic Unleaded. (2014, Dec 1). Alice Springs
bush nurse, Vicki Gordon- helping young people [Video file]. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slEalWQ7GL4
Moore, G., Manias, E., & Gerdtz, M. (2011).
Complex health service needs for people who are homeless. Australian
Health Review, 35(4), 480-485. doi:10.1071/AH10967
Truskett, P. (2014). How informed is informed
consent?. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 84(4), 199-200.
doi:10.1111/ans.12553
Ward, B., Humphreys, J., McGrail, M., Wakerman, J.,
& Chisholm, M. (2015). Which dimensions of access are most important when
rural residents decide to visit a general practitioner for non-emergency
care?. Australian Health Review, 39(2), 121-126.
doi:10.1071/AH14030
