Registered nurses play a crucial role in encouraging access to healthcare, and participation in health care decisions for both patients and their families. Providing high quality care and treatment helps to support adaptation, recovery, and optimal quality of life for patients facing health alterations, particularly when access to health care is compromised (Brown et al. 2015; Farrell 2017). This case study will explore the palliative care of Kathleen, a 77-year-old Indigenous woman with metastatic breast cancer who lives with her daughter Ann in a remote Indigenous community. Due to her location and diminished access to health care, the patient’s symptom management may be compromised. Registered nurses encourage the patient to access, understand …show more content…
2015). As Kathleen’s radiotherapy to reduce her risk of metastases progresses she will present with new symptoms, and increasing care needs which will not be met within her community (Bryant & Knights 2015). Although Kathleen has palliative care respite planned, this is causing distress for both Kathleen and Ann. Cultural sensitivity is needed, as the palliative care at the local hospital is required, but separating Kathleen and her daughter may be detrimental to the patient’s health (Farrell 2017; Wicking 2015). The health of Indigenous people encompasses physical, social, cultural, and emotional wellbeing of their entire community, so having Kathleen spend as much time as possible in the community, or exploring options for Ann to stay with Kathleen in hospital is essential (Duggleby et al. 2015; Farrell 2017; Wicking 2015). As Kathleen’s condition deteriorates and her symptoms increase, once a week visits from the palliative care team will be insufficient. In Kathleen’s situation, an Aged Care Assessment will help establish her care needs, and allow her funding to receive home care through the commonwealth home support programme, transition care, ongoing respite care or the move into an aged care facility as her condition worsens (My Aged Care 2017a; …show more content…
Registered nurses must work within their scope of practice, and comply with professional, ethical, and practice standards, ensuring patients like Kathleen receive culturally safe and socially appropriate care (Farrell 2017; NMBA 2016). Nurses must value access to quality health care for all patients from different cultures and diverse backgrounds (NMBA 2008). The NMBA (2016) requires registered nurses to respect all cultures, values, beliefs, rights, and personal dignity. They must advocate on behalf of their patients in a way which respects the patient’s autonomy and legal capacity at all times (McDonald & Then 2014; NMBA 2016). There are many Indigenous health inequalities within Australia, and a number of measures have been implemented to improve these, including the Closing the Gap Campaign and the Social Justice Framework (AIHW & AIFS 2013; Australian Human Rights Commission 2016; SNM&P n.d). The registered nurse must conduct culturally competent holistic assessments with sensitivity to cultural differences, in order to develop a therapeutic relationship and positive results for the patient (Farrell 2017; NMBA 2016). Nurses must work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, providing information and education to enhance people’s control over their own health, supporting person-centred care and positive
I learned that Aboriginal seniors in Canada have more health care concerns than non-Aboriginal seniors and their needs are not well understood and were taken for granted by health care providers. I can apply in my nursing practice what I have learned from this topic that I will respect and acknowledge their culture and way of life. In addition to that, I will keep in mind that Aboriginal seniors needs more intensive support than non-aboriginal because of what they experienced at the reserved and residential schools. I want to learn more about their traditional practices
Being culturally competent and delivering culturally sensitive care is imperative for anyone in the medical profession. It is important because of the many diversities faced every day in the health care field. However, simply understanding the fact that there are so many health disparities is not enough. In order to reach out and effectively care for patients of different backgrounds and cultures one must understand the importance of cultural competency. In order to be culturally competent, a nurse must have knowledge of the different cultures, and
Remote communities such as those in northern Canada consistently experience a shortage of healthcare providers (HCP) including nurses (Place, Macleod, Moffitt & Pitblado, 2014). Due to the cultural and geographical uniqueness of these areas, challenges are inevitable, however, it can be undoubtedly rewarding. Nurses can particularly gain valuable experience regarding the importance of cultural competence and its implementation.Therefore, this paper will discuss the context of northern Canadian communities as well as three challenges and three benefits faced by nurses working there. Considering the populations in these communities are culturally diverse, it is especially essential for the nurses to have the appropriate cultural knowledge and skills in working with these populations. Consequently, we will also explore the definition of cultural competence, other terms used to describe this concept and how nurses can ensure they have the necessary cultural competence to work with these communities.
64). Reflecting one owns practice is the first principle, and it is a critical part for nurses because it is a vital characteristic for achieving professional competence (Mann, Gordon & MacLeod, 2009). While minimising the power gaps between the nurses and the Indigenous patients is the next principle (Atkins, De Lacey & Britton, 2014). An Indigenous client view nurses to have more power more than them, thus acknowledging the Indigenous practices lessen the power imbalance (Durey & Thompson, 2012). Thirdly, in implementing cultural safety it is actually engaging sensitively with the patient to gain understanding of their viewpoint (Atkins, De Lacey & Britton, 2014). Some health care providers lack true engagement to the Indigenous clients in the health care settings (Ware, 2013). For an instance, the use of medical jargons and abbreviations while talking, a culturally safe nurse includes simple language or explanation that the patient can understand easily (Skellet, 2012). Additionally, having an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers in health care facility can excellently build trust and can promote better engagement among Indigenous client (Hepworth et al,
The first step to properly caring for a patient is acceptance. A nurse must accept the fact that not everyone is the same. Communities consist of many diverse ethnicities and spiritual practices. A nurse has to learn how to throw out all the judge mental thoughts of an individual and try to view the situation through the eyes of the patient. To be culturally competent in the professional practice of nursing, a health care worker must show respect. Health care workers cannot force a patient to go through with a procedure. The individual must respect the wishes of the patient to deny medical care whether it be because of spiritual reasons or just fear of the unknown. Most importantly, a health care worker must be culturally competent in order to avoid misdiagnosis of a patient. Judging a
After reading the “’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Awareness” module, my curiosity in cultural safety grew, and I realized that my role as a nursing student is not just caring patients but understanding and recognition of patient’s historical, social, economic, educational and political positions within the society. As a student nurse, I believe, we need to be educated, understand and recognize how to provide safe, efficient and quality healthcare services for different cultural groups, especially for Australian indigenous people. Cultural safety movements began in New Zealand during early 1980’s (Gerlach, 2012). During that period, Maori nurses and patients began to questioned why they should uphold nursing practices that were opposite to their beliefs and customs (Gerlach, 2012). In other words, they wanted to be acknowledged and treated as equal in health care settings.
As nurses, we have the responsibility to seek solutions to promote social justice and promote the health and well-being of others. Looking at aboriginal health through the scope of the social determinants of health, there are many ways nurses can improve the situation. Firstly, an implication can be that nurses need to educate the individuals in the community of Akulivik about personal coping skills. As a nurse, it is important to work with the community and advocate for those struggling with poor personal coping skills. According to Strengths- Based Nursing Care (2012), one of the main role that nurses have is to educate people (Gottlieb, 2012). Nurses need to educate individuals about healthy personal coping skills when individuals are faced
In order to deliver nursing care to different cultures, nurses are expected to understand and provide culturally competent health care to diverse individuals. Culturally competent care is tailored to the specific needs of each client, while incorporating the individual’s beliefs and values (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2006, p. 90). By being culturally competent, nurses are able to help improve health outcomes by using cultural knowledge and specific skills in selecting interventions that are specific to each client (Stanhope & Lancaster). Therefore, nurses “should perform a cultural assessment on every client with whom they interact with” (Stanhope &
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate understanding of long term conditions and palliative care. Nursing care in general entails holistic care and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, whether sick or well (Royal College of Nursing, (RCN) 2007). Better management of lifelong conditions has been the priority of the National Health Service since the 1990s. When long term conditions are managed well in the community, patients’ can live a quality life without visiting hospital frequently (RCN, 2011). In Britain, six in ten people are reported to be suffering from long term conditions that currently cannot be cured; and these people are often suffering from more than one condition that makes their care challenging. It is estimated that by 2030 the UK will have double the number of people aged 85 years or over, who are living with one or more long term condition (Department of Health, 2014).
This nursing organization has a magnificent amount of power and responsibility in improving the expert care in illnesses and diseases acquired by older adults through advocacy, dissemination of knowledge and the provision of continuation of education (“About GAPNA,” 2016.). Similarly, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association’s political position is to enhance expert care in serious illness and to advance nursing competence through education, leadership and research (“Shared Mission,” 2016). It also creates programs and other learning resources to advance competent care in complicated health conditions (“Shared Mission,” 2016). Furthermore, its responsibility extends to utilizing the best practices of hospice and palliative care to support those who are in need (“Shared Mission,”
“Health is influenced by culture and beliefs” (NRS-429V, 2011, p. 1). In order for the nurse to properly care for the patient, she must know and understand the patient’s culture. “Cultural care is a comprehensive model that includes the assessment of a client’s cultural needs, beliefs, and health care practices” (NRS-429V, 2011, p. 1). It is not enough to just know where the patient lives or where he came from. The nurse must embrace the concept of cultural competence and cultural awareness. This requires not only the awareness of the cultural beliefs and values of their patients, but also
To be a successful culturally competent nurse, nurses should assume attitudes to promote transcultural care. Nurses need to be aware of their patient’s cultural differences - taking time to understand and value patient’s cultural needs and perspectives. Nurses should show respect and concern for patients. Nurses should also be empathic with their patients.
Firstly, the nurse should avoid maintaining eye contact with an Aboriginal client to avoid appearing “intrusive, threatening, or harmful” (Potter, 2014, p. 247). Next, the nurse should not assume how the Aboriginal client is feeling based on their calm demeanor. For instance, the nurse should not assume that an Aboriginal client that appears to be calm is not experiencing discomfort. Secondly, if the nurse is faced with a language barrier, the nurse may request a translator for the Aboriginal client. Depending on the available resources, the translator may be sourced from the facility or the community. Thirdly, the nurse should ask Aboriginal tribe members for education regarding traditional Aboriginal practices. For instance, the nurse may learn death rituals that are tribe specific, such as burying personal possessions with the individual (Eliopoulos, 2010, p. 30). Next, the nurse must respect that the Aboriginal client may prefer treatment in the form of “spiritual rituals, medicine men, herbs, home-made drugs, and mechanical interventions such as suction cups” (Eliopoulos, 2010, p. 29). In addition, the nurse should be aware of the emphasis on harmonious family relations and “reverence for the Great Creator” in Aboriginal culture (Eliopoulos, 2010, p. 29). If available, the nurse should direct the Aboriginal client and their family to the nearest
The aim of this study is to provide a detailed account of the nursing care for a patient who is experiencing a breakdown in health. One aspect of their care will be discussed in relation to the nursing process. The model used to provide an individualised programme of care will be discussed and critically analysed.
* Attention to residents’ transition from active curative care to palliative care (with comfort care and symptom management) requires that care team members provide the resident and their families with sufficient information about the transition process to facilitate decision making. This provision of information can reduce residents’ and families’ concerns and increase their satisfaction regarding the appropriateness of a palliative approach.