Cultural Diversity In Health Care Essay

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As cited by the National Institute of Health, “Culture is often described as the combination of a body of knowledge, a body of belief and a body of behavior. It involves a number of elements, including personal identification, language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions that are often specific to ethnic, racial, religious, geographic, or social groups” (NIH, n.d). Culture has a direct influence on people’s health, illness and healing, as well as the way they perceive their own health and the approaches they take when looking for health care services. The same way, culture could impact the manner that health care providers deliver their services because they can be influenced by their own belief and values (Edelman et al, 2014). According to Cross, Bazron, Dennis, & Issacs (1989), “a culturally competent system would: value diversity; have the capacity for cultural self-assessment; be conscious of the dynamics inherent when cultures interact; have institutionalized cultural knowledge; and have developed adaptations to diversity”. Nurses should be capable to provide care with respect and compassion according to our patients’ belief, values, religious, language, socioeconomic factors, etc. (NIH, n.d). In the other hand, “simply recognizing and accepting cultural diversity is insufficient to attain cultural competency in health care”, as cited by Edelman (2014, p.26). It is important that before we get to know and understand other cultures, we are able to recognize our own beliefs and values, and more importantly, that we do not attempt to influence others with our own culture. Every person is unique and it is essential for us to be aware of that so we can meet their own needs and expectations while providing exceptional

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