Caring for the Hispanic Culture Population

Caring for the Hispanic Culture Population

Nathalie Conti

Grand Canyon University: NUR 502

May 29, 2012

Caring for the Hispanic Culture Population

Nursing has conveyed the intention of being a culturally diverse vocation, the Mexican-American population representing a cultural entity unto itself. In healthcare settings, it is essential that cultural awareness, compassion, and aptitude behaviors are applied since notions such as health, sickness, suffering, and care have somewhat different meanings in minority cultures. Cultural competence of trained nurses is especially important as it enhances quality of patient care when working with people of different heritages. This awareness empowers nurses to accurately assess, plan, and implement nursing interventions appropriate to meeting the needs of these patients (Barker, 2009). The aim of this paper is to describe the impact cultural diversity has on nursing, using as a representative example the Mexican-American cultural phenomena, one of the fastest-evolving minority cultures residing in the United States, and presently its principle Hispanic group (Eggenberger, Grassley, & Restrepo, 2006). The intent in using this example is to foster a generalized understanding of cultural impact to be used as a guide for nursing care.

Summary of Article

The article by Padilla and Villalobos (2007) discusses the cultural experiences of the Mexican-American population with an emphasis on family and the social significance of health promotion. First, the authors illustrate the perception that family is the expressive unit of social organizational structure in the Mexican-American culture. Loyalty between each family member is expected, stressed from childhood and followed all the way through adulthood, including grandparents and godparents. Elders are respected and cared for, and children highly valued. Second, while the male is frequently seen as the power figure, the woman is the strength keeping the family well-balanced and imparting cultural wisdom. In America, blurring of these roles has begun primarily due to acculturation and the isolation of family members, a result of financial hardships. Third, diet is usually high in corn tortillas, rice and processed foods, and lifestyle often lacking in exercise, placing this cultural group at higher risk for medical disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Over-consumption of alcoholic beverages also creates health concerns. Forth, Mexican-Americans are in large Catholics, attending church frequently and are inspired to invoke religious means to resolve their woes. Their belief is that God's force greatly influence one's health as reward or punishment for one's feelings or actions. Fifth, they may consult folk healers or spiritualists, especially if they lack medical insurance. The use of herbal medicine (e.g., mint tea, chamomile) as an alternative to traditional medical treatment is common although generally reticent to communicate their viewpoint, preferring to avoid conflict with the traditional medical community. Finally, when a family member is close to death, Mexican-American's religious beliefs influence their perceptions. Some individuals trust that the soul gets misplaced in the hospital; others require a reassuring environment, possibly a private room, and time to deal with the loss. Pastors or chaplains are often requested to bless the afflicted.

The article stresses that the main cultural dissimilarities that should be taken into consideration when administering direct patient care are language, moral and ethical values, and up-to-date practices within the culture. By gaining a clear understanding of the Mexican-American culture, professional nurses initiate trust, develop patient-centered relationships, decide healthcare resources, and foster care acceptable and satisfactory to persons of this culture.

Application to Practice

In order to deliver proper nursing care to the Mexican-American community, nurses need to be culturally competent and aware of their own personal cultural biases (Barker, 2009). Individuals who are unable to reflect on their own thoughts may create cultural deception wherein their value system is unconsciously imposed on others (Seright, 2007). By addressing these matters in a systematic way, nurses are able to put their best foot forward. A cultural assessment must be completed to assist in understanding different perspectives of health, illness and interventions in appropriate contexts. Patients' beliefs and personal values must be considered and how these influence providing care carefully evaluated. A trained Spanish medical interpreter should be used when required for establishing communications with the patient