NURS 6512: Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
Week 2: Diversity and Health Assessment
Main Discussion Post
With the multicultural population growing in the United States, it is imperative that
healthcare workers be aware of factors that affect each group so they can implement culturally
sensitive and competent care into their practice. Cultural competence is defined by Bedoya,
Boroughs, O'Cleirigh, and Safren (2015) as having a sound understanding of cultural influences
that affect the ability of healthcare professionals to provide appropriate care for patients from
diverse cultural, religious, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic groups. Attaining cultural
competence involves self-awareness, broad knowledge of core cultural issues and reflecting on
how one's values and cultural beliefs can impact the care being provided (reflective practice)
(Ball, Dains, Flynn, Solomon, and Stewart 2015). Ball et al. (2015) describe a
culturally
competent practitioner as one that is aware of the unique needs of patients from diverse
background and can adapt to these needs. The ability of practitioners to adapt, along with true
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- Summer '15
- Health care provider, ball, LGTB
