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| Image retireved from promoteprevent.org |
Cultural
Health Practices and Beliefs incorporates the importance of cultural background
and how it affects an individuals understanding of health, in relation to
culturally sensitive issues relating to faith and ways to address them (Lecture
Notes, CQU, 2015). As a student nurse, I believe it imperative that health care practitioners from culturally diverse
backgrounds can bring additional skills within the work environment which can facilitate
cultural competence (Guzys & Petrie, 2013). Cultural practices and beliefs
include faith, dietary considerations, spirituality and preferences in medical
procedures with strict guidelines according to cultural and religious
beliefs.
Cultural healing practices are the primary therapeutic interventions which are more commonly known as Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM). Sandi Worsley (2015) discussed interventions that are based around four basic concepts. These concepts are best defined by Heidke (2015) are Holism, Humanism, Balance
and Spirituality. Additionally, resourceful information from an online journal article on
these concepts can be found at http://nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Volume62001/No2May01/AlternativeComplementaryModalities.html
Image retrieved from http://hubpages.com/education/Complementary-Alternative-Medicine-Therapies-cam-meaning-difference
The Code of Ethics by NMBA (2008), Statement 3.3 outlines the diversity of people in the community and nurses recognise and accept cultural diversity (NMBA, 2008). Nursing staff must work within areas of expertise and be aware of professional boundaries and remain non judgmental and respectful of cultural aspects regarding traditional medicines (Worsley, 2015).
In
Australia, the practice of traditional indigenous medicine is at risk of being
lost (Wood, 2010). Traditional forms of healing and bush medicines were
the only source of primary health care, and according to Wood (2010), it is
unclear what traditional medical practices remain, and how it sits alongside a
biomedical approach to health. Western and traditional therapies date back
thousands of years which were verbal and handwritten records (Berman, Kozier
& Erb, p. 378, 2012).
Image retrieved from http://australiasurvival.proboards.com/thread/80
A recent
study identified the importance of understanding and acknowledging cultural
factors, that are a prerequisite to determining where and how to intervene to
improve health (Riggs et al., 2014).
Additionally,
further cultural elements that I would be expected to be aware of according
to Brown and Edwards (2013), are communication, family and kinship ties,
personal space, nutrition and physical contact (touch). It is equally important
which model staff will utilise for developing cultural competence. Models
include ETHNIC, LEARN, BATHE, and GREET (Guzys & Petrie, P. 85, 2013). Having a sound understanding of these models would support my journey as a student in being culturally appropriate and aware of patients that I may encounter in my career as a registered nurse.
References
Berman,
A., Kozier, B., & Erb, G. (2012). Kozier and Erb's fundamentals of nursing
(2nd ed., pp. 377-393). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.: Pearson.
Brown,
D., & Edwards, H. (2013). Lewis's medical-surgical nursing (3rd ed.).
Chatswood, N.S.W.: Elsevier Australia
Guzys,
D., & Petrie, E. (2013). An Introduction to Community and Primary Health
Care in Australia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Heike,
P. (2015). Cultural Health Practices and Beliefs. Retrieved from CQUniversity
e-courses, NURS12002 Inclusive Practice, http://moodle.cqu.edu.au
Heike,
P. (2015). NURS12002-Inclusive Practice: Study guide. Rockhampton, Qld:
CQUniversity Australia
Nursing
& Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). (2008). Code of ethics for nurses in
Australia. Retrieved from http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Codes-Guidelines.aspx#codesofethics
Riggs,
E., Gibbs, L., Kilpatrick, N., Gussy, M., van Gemert, C., Ali, S., &
Waters, E. (2014). Breaking down the barriers: a qualitative study to
understand child oral health in refugee and migrant communities in Australia.
Ethnicity & Health, 20(3), 241-257.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2014.907391
Wood,
C. (2010). A History of Healing Therapies: Western, Eastern, and Alternative
Approaches. Choice Reviews Online, 48(02), 219-230.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.48.02.219
Worsly,
S. (2015). Complementary and Alternative Medicine [Blackboard Collaborate
Session]. Retrieved from
https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/blocks/echo360_echocenter/echocenter_frame.php?id=2455
