Cultural Health Care in Different Cultural Settings

Running head: HEALTHCARE
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Title: Cultural Health Care in Different Cultural Settings

HEALTHCARE
Cultural diversity in the society is due to the coexistence of different ethnic groups in
the same community, differences in religion, social class, language, gender, education, family
structure and migration flow (Murcia and Lopez, 2016). Disrespect or failure to observe
patients’ cultural and religious believes can be very unnerving to the patient and the family.
Failure to know what they believe concerning certain practices could accidentally offend the
family and the patient too. Their cultural practices and believes may not concur with the
doctor’s believes and convictions but they must be adhered to though. Most routines and
practices that most cultures take vaguely such as maintaining eye contact, compliments,
personal space, health care practices, time orientation, decision making, touch and non-verbal
communication may have varied interpretations for different cultures and religions
(Ferwerda, 2016). Different cultures have different beliefs. To the Americans, it is unethical
for a family member to dictate the medical care and decisions for the care of an aged patient
and avoiding an eye contact for a Caucasian could mean disrespect. Nowadays health care is
inclusive of the patients’ cultural and personal preferences and therefore the health care
providers have to have knowledge on the cultures of their patients and also show open
responses (Brooks-Carthon et al. 2011).
According to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (2018), cultural
multiplicity in communities with diverse cultures demands that health care services should be
delivered according to cultural singularity and also observe equality in the delivery of
services. Attending to the families’ preferences has been considered as among the best
strategies to enhance culturally competent health care as it shows understanding and also
takes into account the socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic characteristics of the patients.
Health professionals need to therefore be committed in delivering culturally sensitive and
competent care, taking into consideration the essential and critical factors in the health care
setting, patient and family ethnic, racial and cultural origins (Shen, 2015).

HEALTHCARE
In responding and recognizing the needs of an aboriginal patient, openness, cultural
awareness and sensitivity are crucial. To the aboriginals, culture is an important aspect in
health care as they believe observing their culture in health care provision lead to improved
health. To them culture is a set of rules and standards that guide their interactions with the
world. Culture guides their laws, customs, traditions, history as well as their spiritual believes
and is passed from over generations and has to be carefully protected (Australian Indigenous
HealthinforNet, 2017). In caring for a middle aged aboriginal patient, according to the
National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) the health patients’ charter has to be
implemented in accordance to the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. This charter
emphasizes on the rights of safety, respect, access, privacy, communication, right to
participation and comment.
Health care providers need to be culturally capable and aware such that they have a
well-defined set of principles, attitude, policies, values and structures to address the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders needs. According to Shen (2015), a health care
provider has to create trust first in providing care for the indigenous people. According to a
research carried out by the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality in Health Care
(2017) nurses should consult with the patient, leaders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
health, clinicians and policy makers. According to O’Sullivan (2013), a health professional
should ask their patient needs and show willingness to advocate for them. Some aboriginals
believe in traditional healer and therefore the clinicians should incorporate a traditional healer
in the patient’s care. Advance care planning is not a common thing for the indigenous people.
Some believe there is no need for a life plan due to sensitivities around issues of death.
Nearly all the indigenous people would like to die at home or their traditional land.
In order to care for a 60 years old Muslim, the health professional must understand
their beliefs to help them deliver culturally sensitive health care services. These beliefs