An African American woman approaches a pharmacist at the local drugstore near the hospital where she...

An African American woman approaches a pharmacist at the local drugstore near the hospital where she was given a prescription for chest congestion. She asks the pharmacist for oils in the store with camphor so she can rub it on her chest to help with her congestion. The pharmacist immediately tells her that to do so would be ridiculous and that she should not proceed with such a remedy but only use the medicine per her prescription. Did the pharmacist handle this communication correctly?

Expert Solution

In the above case the communication handled by the pharmacist is not appropriate. Speaking of communication, it holds much importance in our daily routine and can be referred as an act of conveying a message, knowing a person, expressing a feeling and the list goes on. There are different modes of communication that can be used based on the situation and time. Considering the health care setting, communication plays a very important role as people in the health care setting have to deal with patients on a larger scale everyday (day in and day out). We come across people belonging to different race, religion and ethnicity. If certain things are not considered it could endanger the level of trust between the health care professionals and patients.

In the above mentioned scenario the cultural competence of the health care professional seems to be inappropriate. Cultural competence involves ensuring that the needs of the diverse patients are met by healthcare professionals without judgment or criticism. There are certain policies that need to be followed by every health care professional. In the case mentioned the pharmacist could have handled the communication in better way by explaining the difference between the effects of taking medication and using camphor oils in treating chest congestion rather than telling the client that use of camphor oils is ridiculous. He should have checked with the patient for the actual symptoms and reason for her choice of treatment (use of oil). Later based on the response he could have suggested the correct medication. This way could have been more appropriate and appealing.

Nightingale answered 2 years ago

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