Question

What is the importance of cultural competency in nursing practice? Support your response. at least one in-text citation

Answer 1

Cultural competence within the health care refers to the development of a tolerant attitude towards the cultural differences that exist in a culturally varied society and develop a positive attitude to communicate as well as to understand the needsof the people within the society.' Cultural Competence' is a word that is getting more attention than ever,especially in health care.Inorder to be culturally competent one must develop an attitude that embraces all disparities within the social group.It is essential in the health care sector to eliminate discriminations against the minority groups and to improve quality care.Culture has a direct influence with the nurse as well as to the patient.It is therefore necessary for the nurse to evolve themselves into a culturally competent health care provider.When living in a diverse society it is essential to learn about various cultural aspects,spirituality ,so that the nurse can form an effective relationship with the patient and gain trust as well as mutual recognition .The nurse should be aware of the rules of interactions,especially with ethnic and minority groups.To develop a good relationship with the patient and to provide quality care ,the nurse need to cross the linguistic barrier which is another aspect of cultural competence.Decreased cultural competence leads to poor patient satisfaction,increased readmissions to the hospitals,medication error and ultimately longer hospital stays,which could result in disparities between the patient and the health care service provider.So it is therefore essential to promote adequate training on cultural competence in health sectors.It requires adequate skillset to handle diverse patients and communicate with them and provide exemplary services to them.So having adequate knowledge,attitude and skills will help the nurse to give high quality care among diverse groups

.In my perspective it would be more helpful if the nurse get the chance to understand about cultural competence and an opportunity to provide improved care among diverse groups.Cultural Competence helps the health care team provide genuine care,with less medication errors and maintain effective relationship with all the other members.So cultural competency is an impotrant element in nursing practice.

References

-SeelemanC,SuurmondJ,Stronks.K.Cultural competence:a framework for teaching and learning.Med Educ.2009;43(3):229-237