Culture has a significant impact on healthcare.
Culture has a significant impact on healthcare. It influences the perceptions of health, death, beliefs about causes of disease, illness, and methods of health promotion and how different people express pain and the kind of treatment that patients seek and their preferences in healthcare as well. Their respective culture influences both the patient and healthcare professionals in the provision of healthcare. The mainstream of beliefs of cultures that are historically dominant influences the health system. Cultural bias influences health perceptions and preferences that are connected to healthcare. Cultural competence, therefore, enables care providers to inquire about the diverse belief or sources of care in a specific manner. Healthcare professionals can incorporate new awareness into diagnosis as well as treatment planning. Demonstrating awareness in culture helps to enhance trust and improved healthcare to higher acceptance rates, thus enhancing adherence to treatment.
In Canada, the healthcare system is shaped by the mainstream of beliefs of cultures that are historically dominant. Patients and physicians in Canada come from the many cultures in the country. One patient may clearly understand the language of the doctor, and the next one may not leave a lot of gaps in understanding. Thus most hospitals have a trusted translator to foster effective communication between the healthcare providers and the patient. Culture influences the way patients view healthcare. Culture significantly affects the behaviors and the choices that patients make.
The cultural considerations that I have experienced are the language barrier and cultural preferences. In my professional career, a Spanish speaking patient visited the clinic with the intention of seeking medical attention. We could not understand each other, as she did not understand even a word in English. I also did not understand her Spanish, and therefore, I was forced to get a person to translate. I noted that the patient was getting angry because I did not understand her language and this created mistrust between us. The language barrier is, therefore, one of the most significant cultural considerations that I have faced in the provision of healthcare services. The language barrier prevents effective communication in healthcare because the patient cannot effectively express their needs, or healthcare providers cannot respond to requests made. The other cultural consideration that I have been confronted with is cultural preferences. Different cultures have diverse ways of dealing with health issues, and this affects their preferences for healthcare services. I have attended to patients with different preferences, and this greatly influences the delivery of healthcare. A considerable number of patients prefer to be taken care of with regard to their cultural beliefs and values, which is often challenging when one lacks cultural competence.
As a nurse practioner, I will provide culturally diverse care in the healthcare system through performing cultural competence assessment. I will ensure that I understand the cultural preferences of the patient to provide care that align with his or her beliefs and values. Also, I will enhance communication through lessening language barriers. I will ensure that I have a translator, or I obtain a certificate in cultural competence to enable me to understand different languages and cultures. I will also engage directly in cross-cultural communications with the patients to ensure that I understand the values and beliefs of diverse cultures. Also, I will ensure that I take part in online networks and chats to understand different cultures.