Martha C. Baker
Ozarks Technical Community College, USA
Title: Who is the “Other� Cultural Sensitivity in Patient Situations
Biography
Biography: Martha C. Baker
Abstract
Cultural awareness and sensitivity is essential to be able to care for our patients well. While this statement seems to be readliy apparent and univrsally agreeed upon, many nurses aand students struggle to accomplisth this task. This presentation will provide the practicing nurse or educator with aanunderstanding of the concept of cultural sensitivity and awareness. The idea of cultural competence in every situation has evolved as it is unrealtistic to be “competent” in all cultural encounters. What nurses and educators can do is to be culturally sensitive. This approach preserves the dignity and respect for the patient and their cultural heritage. In addition, it respects the person of the nurse and their cultural heritage as well. We can educate ourselves as nurses to guide the patient of a different cultural through the maze of the health care systems by using some general guidlines in approaching the patient situations. We can use these guidlines to help us make decisions about what cultural practices we can accomadate and recognize possible sources of conflict. If nurses recognize the possible area of conflict; problems solving can begin early with the goal of avoiding the conflict from occuring.