CULTURAL POPULATION STUDIES

Cultural Population Studies

Cultural Population Studies

Introduction

Cultural Diversity: A Dominican American Cultural Interview and Assessment Cultural Competent Care Caring for the culturally diverse community has been focus of nursing from beginning. In early 1890s public health nurses caring for immigrants in New York soon realized cultural differences between themselves and their patients. Today nurse face the greater challenge as U.S. Census data from 2000 shows the greatest shift in demographics. These changes reflect societies increasing diversity among ethnic and racial lines (Stanhope& Lancaster, 2004).

Cultural competent care in nursing is the combination of culturally congruent behaviors, practice attitudes, structures and policies that allows nurses to work effectively in cross-cultural situations, which was once thought to be all that was needed for nurses to care effectively for their patients (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2004).

Cultural Components in Population

Cultural competent care should be formation for all care that nurses provide, when caring for the patient whose cultural background is different from that of nurse. Care should be designed based on patients culture including his or her cultural norms, values and beliefs. Care should include strategies to empower patient in making decisions related to his or her healthcare. Care should be provided with respect to cultural uniqueness of patient (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2004).

Family Values

Family is most important asset within Hispanic community. Maria grew up with eight family members; she lived with her parents, maternal grandparents, two brothers and one sister. Marias home often had many extended family members visiting from Mexico. Maria plans to have her parents live with her when her when they are older. She is oldest child so in her culture and is responsible to care for her parents in their later years. Maria stated she will always open up her home to any and all of her family members. Hispanic community exhibit value and respect for their elders and younger generations look to them for advice.

Religion

Maria is the practicing Catholic along with all her family members and close friends. majority of Hispanics are Catholic with an increasing presence of Pentecostals. Maria feels she shares the common belief among Hispanics that health is the gift from God and should not be taken for granted. Prevention of illness is an accepted practice and is accomplished through prayer, wearing of medals, amulets and keeping relics in home. Visiting shrines, offering medals and candles are frequently observed practices among Hispanics. Many homes have shrines ...