I work in a community hospital that serves a large Mexican population. There are many barriers to care for these patients because of the language barrier, different cultural beliefs, and at times nonadherence. It is important for nurses to understand the similarities and the differences of this culture to one’s own to avoid the generalization and bias. Mexicans are descendants of Central American Indian, Native Americans, Spanish, Africans, and Europeans. Foods most common in the Mexican diet include rice, beans, onions, fruits, potatoes, fish, meats, tortillas, and plantains. About 90 percent of Mexicans are Catholic; the secondary religion is Protestantism (Cultural Insights, n.d.). Mexicans have a unique culture of their own. It is important to develop cultural competencies and know which group you serve in your …show more content…
There are times where I am taking their vitals and they look at my facial expression to see if things are okay. I smile and tell them “bueno” for good. In the Asian culture eye contact is considered disrespectful whereas in the Hispanic culture it is a sign of attentiveness and respect (Stanhope and Lancaster, 2014). I am so used to not making eye contact with people because of my culture so when I do it I feel uncomfortable almost shy. But learning this from the textbook we are reading for the course I will try to incorporate this when I am speaking to a Hispanic patient. For this cultural analysis report I interviewed a colleague at work who is Mexican American. Elaiza was born and raised in Merced, Ca. She finished high school and went on to marry her husband who was born in Mexico but immigrated to America when he was 17. They married shortly after she graduated high school and had two kids. She then decided to go to college when she was 23 and enter the nursing program at 25. She graduated nursing school in 2008 and has been working at Mercy Medical since. She has a different
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States, and the majority of them are Mexican in origin (Kemp, 2001). The Roman Catholic Church plays a vital role in the culture and daily life of many Mexican Americans. Consequently, healthcare personnel must become culturally competent in dealing with the different beliefs possessed by these individuals. Nurses must have the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver care that is congruent with the patient’s cultural beliefs and practices (Kearney-Nunnery, 2010). The ways that a nurse cares for a Mexican American patient during the process of dying or at the critical time of death is especially important. The purpose of this paper is to examine
The United States is comprised of many cultures within a culture. America is composed of a variety of people who all have different beliefs and traditions, as well as their own unique set of beliefs regarding their healthcare practices. One such group is the Hispanic Americans who have their own very diverse cultural group. As individuals, they are just like anybody else in any other culture. However, it is worthwhile for a nurse caring for someone from this culture to know what their distinct cultural beliefs are. People belonging to a Hispanic cultural group are highly attached to the beliefs and values of their culture and follow them in every aspect of their life (Gallo, 2003). Interestingly, their cultural beliefs even influence the
Mexican culture is colorful and rich, enriched with pride and heritage. Family values and strong moral constitution have sustained the culture for hundreds of years. I have had the pleasure to interact and consort with the Mexican culture most of my life in the business that I'm in. Dedication and hard work are the stables that bound the stigma of the Mexican culture. Being that I truly honor the culture I have chosen a friend of mine that I work with to perform my interview upon. My interviewee is Maria Dimas; she was born in Cancun Mexico but has lived most of her life in the United States.
Culture is an identification of one's worldview, which can include values, beliefs, morals, attitudes, customs, experiences and behaviors communicated within those individuals. There are characteristics that define religion/spirituality, role within family, definition of illness and the use of healing and treatment practices presentation in health behaviors (Talamantes, 2000). When it comes to the culture of Mexican immigration status can play an important role to one's healthcare. If the Hispanics from the Mexican culture live in the United States also known as Mexican Americans they have a high change of having healthcare, but if they still live in parts of Mexico they have a less to nothing chance of having
Encountering a fast growing aging nation, the U.S. government strives to create the cultural competence of medical care providers for this to lower health inequalities. The overall rising number of the older adult population exemplifies a cultural icon within itself. The proportion of older adults from ethnic and racial minority groups is projected to increase exponentially by 2050, with the largest growth rates being among Hispanics, followed by Asian-Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and African Americans. During the year of 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau stated that 19 percent of the U.S. population that is aged 65 years and older would be considered as a minority. In 2050, 39 percent of the countries older adults will be denoted by minority groups. For these predictions, organizations should incorporate community outreach. This will help in studying the population and learning who are the most efficient resource individuals within the ethnic groups. Also, they can predict the need and demand for alliances or affiliations so that when families get there, the health care organizations can be more organized and be prepared to give pertinent services and resources. Organizations can reach out to religious groups to help engage workers, trainers, or religious leaders who has a better understanding of the individual’s cultural back and they can also help in educating employees in the distinctions of working with them to display respect (Lehman, D., Fenza, P., &
1. Explain in your own words what each term means. Give on example from care practice to illustrate your explanations.
The leading causes of death for Mexicans are all, for the most part, preventable. Simply living a healthier lifestyle and not keeping on excess weight can prevent Diabetes Mellitus. Eating excess animal by-product is known to cause coronary heart disease; so perhaps going on a vegan diet will be beneficial. Smoking is common within the Mexican culture; so lung disease is also a prominent factor in the causes of death. Mexicans, like Puerto Ricans are known to avoid health providers when they are ill and use at home remedies if it becomes severe. Certain treatments that involve herbs and spices are believed to cure diseases. While rituals and other various practices are known to bring good health to an individual, or family, who is suffering. A nurse must address these conflicts
I enjoyed reading your insights on some of the cultural aspects that influence the healthcare perceptions of the Hispanic population. I also chose this ethnic group for my discussion so it was interesting to see the information that you found. For Ohio nurses, I think it’s essential to learn about these influences because statistics show that the Hispanic population is growing in every county except for one. Immigration is playing a part but the main increase is coming from the birth rate of children of first-generation immigrants. They are becoming adults and are having their own children, which is boosting the overall population.
At our hospital it is our goal is to accept diversity and cultural differences. To accomplish this I suggest that we provide training on cultural competence to all
It is significant for the medical provider to note that each individuals have their own cultural preferences of interactions and roles. The Native People have their own social customs; however some of these are typecasts and might not be as shared and many of the medical provider are familiar with those of their persons. Demonstrate great respect to the elderly. In several cases the elders are not familiarized to the new healthcare facilities, the new environments and noises, the caregivers and types treatment; for various of them it might be their first visit to a medical facility, it is significant to ease their awareness and explicate procedures thoroughly. The Silence is respected and is not certainly a negative behavior. Occasionally the
Cultural barriers The third communication barrier is culture. This barrier includes language difference, interpreting expressions, making assumption, stereotyping and having different beliefs. An example of this can be in a care home.
Culturally competent is acknowledging persons cultural practices and beliefs, therefore, respecting each patient's cultural difference. It is essential for nurses to be aware and have the knowledge and conscious regarding their patients culture practices and beliefs also how it may affect their health care.
Hispanics have various origins and come from different areas of the world. Whether it’s language, food, music, beliefs, or traditions, Hispanic culture is spreading across the nation and making an impact on our country as a whole. The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Model was developed in 1988. It is a way for nursing students to learn to assess and provide care for patients that were culturally diverse. The model includes six cultural phenomena: communication, time, space, social organization, environmental control, and biological variations. These provide a framework for patient assessment, and assist in competent culturally sensitive care in the medical field. In our presentation, we will discuss some of the key characteristics of Hispanic
K., & ALDANA, A. (2010). Looking Beyond 'Affordable' Health Care: Cultural Understanding and Sensitivity- Necessities in Addressing the Health Care Disparities of the U.S. Hispanic Population.. Health Marketing Quarterly, 27(4), 354-387. doi:10.1080/07359683.2010.519990
When I’m sick, I walk into my well-lit, comfortably cooled doctor’s office to smiling faces that understand every word that I say. I sit on a paper-covered bed and explain my symptoms to my physician who speaks the same language as I do and get a proper prescription for my illness. I never have to guess if, through our conversation, she understands that I have a headache, a sore throat, and body aches, and she never has to worry if I understand to take two pills a day with eight ounces of water. The notion that individuals in America live without quality, accessible healthcare due to a language barrier seemed preposterous - until this summer.