Course Objectives: Transcultural Nursing

According to Andrews & Boyle (2012), the concept of transcultural nursing theory (TCN) has evolved in recent years to reference more broader concepts of culturally sensitive and culturally astute nursing. The world has grown more diverse, and healthcare must reflect this diversity. The core philosophy behind transcultural nursing is that for the nursing process and healthcare treatment in general to be effective, it must address the patients cultural needs. TCN combines an understanding of both anthropology and nursing to realize its fundamental objectives.

One of the most interesting concepts which emerged in the TCN model was the idea of care being both culturally universal and culturally specific. At first this confused me. But in the wake of the recent coronavirus pandemic, the need to balance both has become very evident. On one hand, it is absolutely critical to stem the tide of the pandemic with the use of vaccines and social distancing. On the other hand, because of previous encounters with the healthcare system, some patients may have very negative views of physicians and nurses. As noted in the textbook, Culture influences a persons definition of health and illness, when it is appropriate to self-treat (Andrews & Boyle, 2012, p. 4). Addressing patient concerns, rather than dismissing them, is critical, including communicating when self-treatment may be inappropriate. Also, understanding why patients may have more difficulty obeying standardized recommendations about seeing providers, social distancing, and following guidelines due to income, geography, and healthcare customs, can help providers be compassionate and provide advice to patients that patients are more apt to follow.

One concept addressed in TCN that is very simple but which does not always receive adequate attention is that of health literacy and language. Patients who lack basic language skills or science education may not understand directions about how to self-administer medications at home, for example. Hospital stays are already shorter than in the past, and there is an explosion of chronic conditions patients must accept responsibility for self-management at home. Patients may be less apt...…to obey standard, universalizing healthcare recommendations.

This does not mean that the nurse needs to back off telling a patient to modify the patients diet for a high glucose reading, to get a vaccination, or to exercise. But the nurse should understand what cultural forces are at play that can make it more or less difficult to obey such dictates. Finally, as a nursing provider I have learned I must become more self-critical of my own assumptions regarding health and wellness. Knowledge does not always immediately translate into action, and even willing patients do not necessarily have the resources to take optimal care of their health.

In my life and in my family, health and science was always a priority. Not all patients have had that background, however, and I feel that as a result of this course and course reading, I have a better understanding how informal beliefs and self-care can influence health status. I will be better able to ask the right types of questions of patients, and to be…