I conducted an interview with Angela Fong a family friend, our cultures differ in our race. Angela is a middle-aged woman that has lived in Singapore, where the Buddhism religion is most prominent. Preliminary to Angela transitioning her beliefs to Christianity, she grew up practicing the Buddhism religion. For attaining cultural competence in providing healthcare I preceded the interview to understand our cultural differences. “Understanding a patient’s cultural background can facilitate communication and support establishing an effective nurse-patient relationship” (Black, 2107, p.264). Culture affects the meanings a person attaches to health, illness, and perceptions of treatment (Black, 2017).
I started the interview by asking Angela …show more content…
She addressed that her perception of how her culture receives care is likely inadequate considering the low Singaporean population in the States. Regardless, Angela commented, that when receiving care, she is aware of the difference our cultures share, but admitted Americans are likely unaware of other cultures common etiquette. Specifically, Angela explained a time she went the doctor’s office and the nurse there had pointed with her index finger while telling her where she could wait. Instead of using a whole hand to direct someone, as her culture does, Angela vocalized that unconsciously, she interpreted this as rude. Overall, her opinion was most cultures understand the American customs and can determine the underlying meaning of communication, without taking …show more content…
Nurses can promote culturally competent health care by focusing on cultivating trust, understanding, and respect for their patient. Angela discussed that she along with her community in Singapore consisted religiously of Buddhist. Due to her beliefs of maintaining a clear consciousness, she commonly refused pain medications. When caring for a patient the nurse should know the traditions and beliefs concerning their religion. This may include the actions of a nurse to ensure a peaceful and quiet environment, based on emphasizing meditation. As most Buddhists are vegetarian, a nurse should provide a diet accordingly, and understand the refusal of a medication containing animal
I started the interview by asking Angela …show more content…
She addressed that her perception of how her culture receives care is likely inadequate considering the low Singaporean population in the States. Regardless, Angela commented, that when receiving care, she is aware of the difference our cultures share, but admitted Americans are likely unaware of other cultures common etiquette. Specifically, Angela explained a time she went the doctor’s office and the nurse there had pointed with her index finger while telling her where she could wait. Instead of using a whole hand to direct someone, as her culture does, Angela vocalized that unconsciously, she interpreted this as rude. Overall, her opinion was most cultures understand the American customs and can determine the underlying meaning of communication, without taking …show more content…
Nurses can promote culturally competent health care by focusing on cultivating trust, understanding, and respect for their patient. Angela discussed that she along with her community in Singapore consisted religiously of Buddhist. Due to her beliefs of maintaining a clear consciousness, she commonly refused pain medications. When caring for a patient the nurse should know the traditions and beliefs concerning their religion. This may include the actions of a nurse to ensure a peaceful and quiet environment, based on emphasizing meditation. As most Buddhists are vegetarian, a nurse should provide a diet accordingly, and understand the refusal of a medication containing animal