Challenges in Communication with Culturally Diverse Patients

This paper evaluates the challenges in communication with culturally diverse patients and suggests measures to mitigate them.

Running head: REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

Introduction:
Reflective practice forms an integral aspect of the nursing profession, as it allows the
professionals to introspect about a specific clinical scenario and undertake a thorough self-
assessment. Reflective learning helps in appropriate identification of strengths and weaknesses
which are appropriately groomed with the use of effective measures. This paper intends to
evaluate the case study of the patient Rosa in order to identify the challenges that could affect the
communication quality and accordingly adapt measures to mitigate the identified issues.
Description:
As per the provided case scenario of the patient, it can be said that the patient, Rosa
Calapari is 80 years old and is Italian in origin. Further, the patient has a long medical history
which suggests that she has been suffering from a number of chronic illnesses. Further, the
patient has a history of a fractured hip which has increasingly made her anxious and has limited
her abilities to address activities that she liked such as gardening or talking to her neighbor.
Identification of two health related topics that would impact the quality of interaction with
Rosa:
Upon analyzing the patient history, I feel that caring for Rosa would be critical and would
require appropriate support from her end so as to facilitate the recovery process. In this context, I
feel that the two most challenging aspects that would impact the quality of my communication
with Rosa would comprise of the cultural diversity and her reduced awareness about the health
conditions. As has already been mentioned in the case study, Rosa had been extremely anxious
and worried while she was placed in the Austin healthcare facility. The primary reason
accountable for the same was the cultural diversity and her reduced comfort in comprehending

the English language. Further, the patient case study also mentions that Rosa failed to comply
with the exercise routine and other recommendations that were given to her by the GP for
managing the symptoms of Diabetes, Obesity and Deep vein thrombosis.
Reflecting on the challenge the chosen topics pose:
As I am not of the similar cultural background as that of Rosa, it would be extremely
difficult to build rapport and establish a positive therapeutic relationship. As I belong to a
different cultural background, I would make use of the official language English to converse and
impart instructions to the patient. This might result in triggering anxiety and the patient might not
feel comfortable with me. Also, as a nurse I would ask her to follow instructions such as take
medication, control her diet and alcohol intake and comply with the exercise routine so as to
promote recovery. Rosa might refuse to act according to my instructions as she is not aware
about complying with the instructions could help her recover at a rapid pace.
Measures adapted to mitigate the identified challenges:
In order to build a positive therapeutic relationship with Rosa, I would first make sure
that Rosa is comfortable in my presence. I would specifically ask her as well as her husband
about their culture specific preferences so that I can devise a care plan accordingly to suit the
need of Rosa and she is able to positively cooperate with the care process. Further, I could
arrange a referral to an Italian RN so that Rosa feels comfortable in her presence and is able to
express better. The Italian RN could specifically take into consideration the spiritual preferences
of the patient and her food preferences and accordingly create a diet plan which would be easier
for Rosa to follow. In addition to this, in order to make her aware about her disease conditions,
health literacy would be provided by me using proper educational tools such as audio and visual

aid. This would help Rosa and her husband to relate better to her medical condition and this
would help in imparting awareness and motivation so that Rosa complies with the devised care
plan.
Conclusion:
Therefore, to conclude, it can be mentioned that dealing with culturally diverse patients
who are also aged can be extremely challenging. This is because a major linguistic barrier
interrupts the flow of smooth communication between the nurses and the patient. As in this case,
Rosa was extremely frustrated with the care professionals at the Austin Repatriation Hospital.
Also, poor memory is a common sign with advancing age and lack of awareness about the
disorders leads to reluctance to comply with the interventions and as a result patients often turn
out to be aggressive and rude. The same has been the case with Rosa and along with lack of
awareness she is also facing the ego integrity versus despair crisis which is bringing out the
worst version of her.
Action Plan:
The action plan would comprise of browsing through scholarly journals about effective
communication and cultural safety while dealing with culturally diverse patients. This would
ensure that a strong rapport is build with Rosa which would ensure a smooth recovery process.