Cultural sensitivity: appreciating differences between cultures and understanding how one’s own background, values, and beliefs can influence views of cultures other than our own.
Cultural humility: understanding that honest self-reflection of one’s own beliefs and cultural identity is necessary in order to truly appreciate the cultural practices of others
Examples of Possible Cultural Considerations That May Influence Child Care
| Cultural Topic Possible Belief/Behavior Nursing Actions That Demonstrate Cultural Competency |
|---|
| Health beliefs | - Illness may be viewed as having a supernatural cause or being a divine punishment
- Illness may be viewed as an imbalance of “hot and cold”
- May believe that if a stranger admires a child but does not touch the child, the child may develop symptoms of “evil eye”
- May prefer family- or folk-recommended health care
| - Be aware of specific customs/preferences of people who use the health-care services
- Determine beliefs of individuals and families regarding illness and health care
- Avoid criticism of nonharmful folk beliefs or folk remedies; incorporate these into care plan when feasible
- Ask permission before touching and examining the child
|
| Family dynamics | - May believe that medical office visits and hospitalization are a family affair and that extended family members should accompany the child to the visit or hospital
- May be reluctant to acknowledge inability to pay for prescribed medication
| - Respect family dynamics and beliefs
- Support family and group interactions with the child that do not jeopardize health care
- Determine whether family can afford to buy prescribed medications; if not, consult prescriber to determine whether there is a less expensive alternative or refer for social services support
|
| Gender | - Father or other relative may be viewed as head of the household and will interact with the health-care provider and make decisions regarding treatment of the child
- May view gender as a determinant of child’s value
- May believe that health-care provider should be same gender as child
| - Follow family preferences that do not jeopardize competent care of the child
- Emphasize the importance of each child’s health and its impact on the family
|
| Language | - When language is a barrier, child or family may indicate that they agree with or give consent for whatever is being said to avoid losing face, to prevent social unpleasantness, or to avoid being embarrassed
- May consider it to be disrespectful to question health-care provider
| - Have routine hospital forms and instruction handouts available in languages that are common in the geographical area
- Ask questions that require more than “yes/no” answers
- Obtain services of an interpreter when needed
|
| Body language | - May view eye contact or prolonged eye contact as disrespectful
- May consider pointing with a finger to be disrespectful
- May consider a prolonged or firm handshake as hostile
| - Be sensitive to implications of body language and personal space
- Avoid pointing with a finger
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| Pain | - May view pain as something to be endured without complaining
- May be very expressive about pain
| - Avoid judgment and comments related to child’s expression of pain
- Let child and family know when pain is expected and what can be done to relieve pain
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