The end of life stage for those with a Buddhist cultural background is a beautiful transition into their next physical state. Based on their beliefs and values, the end of life process is peaceful and has minimal suffering involved. The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model is a great tool for nurses to use when it comes to caring for patients of a different culture. This paper takes that model and applies it to Buddhism and how a nurse can care for a Buddhist patient at the end of life stage.
Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model
In 1988, Dr. Joyce Newman Giger and Dr. Ruth Davidhizar discovered that the nursing profession needed a formalized framework for how to care for patients of differing cultures (Davidhizar & Giger, 2002). They built a model that focused on the importance of transcultural nursing and culturally competent care. Nursing is a …show more content…
It is important for the nurse to acknowledge and respect the belief that they are not dying, but moving on to the next life. It is the responsibility of a nurse to provide the most comfort for any patient that is at the end of life stage. For Buddhists, this is achieved by providing the patient with a tranquil environment in which they can meditate and do whatever they need to prepare for their next life.
It is common to provide around the clock pain relievers for patients that are at the end of life. Most likely, someone with a Buddhist background will refuse the medication and the nurse must respect their wishes. If a patient deteriorates to the point where they cannot communicate if they would like the medication, the nurse should be aware that administering the meds goes against their beliefs. Even if the family is asking for the patient to receive narcotics, it is a part of the Buddhist culture to maintain autonomy and a clear mind so it would still not be right to give the
Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model
In 1988, Dr. Joyce Newman Giger and Dr. Ruth Davidhizar discovered that the nursing profession needed a formalized framework for how to care for patients of differing cultures (Davidhizar & Giger, 2002). They built a model that focused on the importance of transcultural nursing and culturally competent care. Nursing is a …show more content…
It is important for the nurse to acknowledge and respect the belief that they are not dying, but moving on to the next life. It is the responsibility of a nurse to provide the most comfort for any patient that is at the end of life stage. For Buddhists, this is achieved by providing the patient with a tranquil environment in which they can meditate and do whatever they need to prepare for their next life.
It is common to provide around the clock pain relievers for patients that are at the end of life. Most likely, someone with a Buddhist background will refuse the medication and the nurse must respect their wishes. If a patient deteriorates to the point where they cannot communicate if they would like the medication, the nurse should be aware that administering the meds goes against their beliefs. Even if the family is asking for the patient to receive narcotics, it is a part of the Buddhist culture to maintain autonomy and a clear mind so it would still not be right to give the