Diversity: Cultural and Spiritual Competence
Cultural Diversity
-Canada has always been a multicultural nation
-The 2011 canadian census found over 200 different ethnic origins of population
Culture
-Shared patterns of learned values and behaviours that are transmitted over time that
distinguish the members of one group another
-Can include language, ethnicity, spiritual and religious beliefs, socioeconomic class,
gender, sexual orientation, age, group history, geographic origin, education and
childhood/life experiences
Visible and Invisible Components of Culture
-Visible -> easily seen
-Clothing, jewelry, charms and hairstyles
-Invisible -> less observable
-Value belief system that drives visible practices
Cultural Conflicts
-Ethnocentrism
-Stereotypes
-Discrimination
-Cultural imposition
-Use own values as guides to treatment, understanding others behaviour
Transcultural Nursing
-Dr. Madeleine Leininger is founding researcher
-Theory has now developed as a discipline in nursing
-Importance of Transcultural Nursing
-Understanding and acknowledging the client’s health beliefs, values and
practices helps nurses to provide culturally safe and competent care
Cultural Competence
-Cultural awareness
-Cultural knowledge
-Cultural skills
-Cultural encounters
-Cultural desires
Cultural Assessment
-A systematic and comprehensive examination of the cultural care values, beliefs and
practices of individuals, families and communities
-Gathers info that will enable the nurse to provide culturally competent care
Cultural Assessment (cont.)
-Ethnohistory
-Social organization
-Socioeconomic status
-Biocultural ecology and health risks
-Language and communication
-Religion and spirituality
-Caring beliefs and practices
-Experience with professional health care
Spiritual Health
-Spiritual health is defined as a connectedness with body, mind and spirit
-The health of any of these elements seems to affect the health of others
-Spiritual needs may increase as health declines
-Positive beliefs, comfort and strength gained from religion, medication and prayer can
contribute to healing and a sense of well being
Goals for Guiding Spiritual Conversations
-Invite clients to share spiritual beliefs and values
-Learn about those beliefs and values
-Open an opportunity for compassionate care
-Empower clients to draw on their resources for healing and acceptance
-Identify practices and beliefs that are important for the plan of care
-Identify those clients who would benefit from a referral to a spiritual care provider
Spiritual Problems
-Perceived barriers to spiritual care
-Perceived time constraint
-Lack of knowledge of the issues
-Lack of confidence about spiritual conversations
-Challenges in articulating spirituality
-Uncertainty as to what spiritual care entails
-Multiplicity of beliefs, religions, philosophies and creeds
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