Communicating with Diverse Patients

The assignment details a healthcare scenario where the author provided care to a Vietnamese patient who was non-verbal in English. The author reflects on their experience, highlighting the challenges of communication and outlining strategies for improvement, including learning sign language and seeking interpreters. The analysis also emphasizes the significance of providing compassionate care and involving family and friends for emotional support.

Nursing Reflection

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview of the Case Study............................................................................................................1
Gibbs Reflection model...................................................................................................................1
Description..................................................................................................................................1
Feelings.......................................................................................................................................1
Evaluation...................................................................................................................................2
Analysis.......................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................2
Action plan..................................................................................................................................2
Analysis of situation........................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

Overview of the Case Study
Vivian, a 96 year old lady who is malnourished and needs some sort of help and support.
She is just 39 Kg's in weight which is comparatively quite less according to her age. She is from
a non English background, so she is unable to speak English. She has a Vietnamese decent. Also,
she is presently on a fluid and food chart so that she can be able to gain some weight. The report
is about discussing the condition of Vivian and attending her daily living activities, I have
observed in the medical ward. Also, making an analysis of the pressure care areas of Vivian
using the Gibbs model. Along with this, it focuses on understanding the means of
communication for interacting with someone from different background and culture. Different
aspects of it under the Gibbs model has been discussed as under :
Gibbs Reflection model
Gibbs reflective cycle is considered one of the effective models that can be used and
implemented in nursing. It is being widely used as it helps in providing a precise set of
information and reflection which involves the analysis, description and the evaluation. All the
aspects of the model are described as under :
Description
The description means what has happened and why. What were the reasons behind what
has happened (Ekebergh, 2011). So, in case of Vivian, she is 96 years old but she has only 39 kg
weight which means she must be underweight. There can be various reasons behind that. When I
was examining her, I realised that she is presently on a food and fluid chart in order to gain some
weight. So, I think there is a need to recheck the chart as she has not gained much weight since a
huge time. So, I think there is a need to make some sort of changes in the diet plan. As she
speaks Vietnamese, so it was difficult to coordinate with her but I analysed her situation from
examining her body only. Then, I make use of the sign language to interact with her and made
her understand the changes in the meal plan. It also helped in creating a trusting relationship with
her that whenever I used to taught her something, she understands it easily.
Feelings
It involves how the person felt during the whole experience (Tashiro and Matsutani,
2013). I was feeling very bad for her situation because she was looking very weak and it can be
imagined from her body weight only. Her body weight according to her age was not efficient.
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While examining her, I felt very bad. Also, she was not able to speak English, so it was difficult
to interact with her. So, I made use of sign language to interact with her and made her understood
that I have made some changes in the meal plan that can actually help her.
Evaluation
While the examining, one thing I liked is that in the whole examination process, she
cooperated with me. Although we were not communication because of the language difference
but we were interacting by means of actions and writing. That time, I realised that sign language
can act quite effective option to communicate with her. It is because by that means, it was easy to
make her understand different things. She also followed the modifications in the meal plan I have
made but one thing I didn't like about the experience was that she was not ready to take the
medicines. Although she knows how important it is for her to take medicines but she was
refusing before. However, I made her understand that it is very important for her to take the
medicines as she is already on a diet chart. So, I made her understand that we have to follow the
chart and medications completely, then only it can prove helpful.
Analysis
If I will analyse the model and practices with others, there may be the possibility that as
compared to this, there may be involvement of some other approaches for making understand the
patient about the importance of medications. I made her understand very softly the importance of
taking medicines for her body because I knew it is important for her health. Using the sign
language, I made her understand that physical exercises are a must for her so that her body
weight and balance can stay balanced. It created a sort of trust between us and she also follwed
the same what I was instructing her. If she refuses to do so, it can have a bad impact on her
health (Bulman and Schutz, 2013). I also felt that she needs to make some improvements in her
basic lifestyle as if she bath daily, she will feel more relaxed and fresh enough.
Conclusion
From this experience, I have learned much as the way I used for providing support and
treatment to Vivian was efficient enough and it helped as well but in the future, I can also make
use of various other ways for communicating with the patient who may be from different
background or culture. It is important because if Vivian might be able to speak English, maybe I
can be able to provide her the treatment more efficiently and appropriately. Also, she needs to
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focus on her daily lifestyle as well because involvement of a healthy lifestyle can help to much
extent.
Action plan
If the same situation arose again, then, I will make sure to involve some better way of
communicating with someone who is from different background because interaction is very
important between two people to discuss the issue. I can also focus on learning sign language
completely so that in such case in the future, it will help me in a better and effective
communication. Also, I will make sure to provide an efficient set of care to the person and also
make understand their family and friends to provide proper care. Instead of support, love and
care from family and friends can actually help one to stay emotionally strong.
Analysis of situation
It can be analysed from the situation that Vivian was following a diet plan for food and
fluid intake but there is a possibility that it lacking in some factors. So, I made some
improvements in the diet plan as per her bodily requirements so that she can take a proper and
balanced diet that can also help in maximizing her body weight. Also, she is lacking in some
basic routine activities, so she needs to make some improvements on that as taking regular bath
etc. Some improvements in her daily lifestyle can also help in making her condition quite
effective and appropriate (Beam, O'brien and Neal, 2010). As she was not able to speak English
and was speaking Vietnamese. So, this created some minor issues in making interaction with her.
But, however, I managed and tried to provide her efficient care and support. If in the future, the
same situation arises with some other patient, then I will make sure to involve some means by
which I can communicate with the patient from other background.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beam, R. J., O'brien, R. A., & Neal, M. (2010). Reflective Practice Enhances Public Health
Nurse Implementation of Nurse‐Family Partnership. Public Health Nursing. 27(2). 131-
139.
Bulman, C., & Schutz, S. (Eds.). (2013). Reflective practice in nursing. John Wiley & Sons.
Ekebergh, M. (2011). A learning model for nursing students during clinical studies. Nurse
education in practice. 11(6). 384-389.
Howatson-Jones, L. (2016). Reflective practice in nursing. Learning Matters.
Husebø, S. E., O'Regan, S., & Nestel, D. (2015). Reflective practice and its role in
simulation. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 11(8). 368-375.
Jasper, M. (2011). Professional Development, Reflection and Decision-making for Nurses (Vol.
17). John Wiley & Sons.
Tashiro, J., & Matsutani, M. (2013). Concept analysis of reflection in nursing professional
development. Japan Journal of Nursing Science. 10(2). 170-179.
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