Important aspects of native american communication is

important aspects of Native American communication is extremely helpful for nurse practitioners
who wish to establish a mutually satisfying relationship with Native American patients.
Nonverbal communication is very important to understand when communicating with Native
Americans. Native Americans are comfortable with long periods of silence, and interest is
shown through attentive listening skills (Flowers, 2005). It is important to allow them time to
answer question so that they can carefully consider and think about what they want to
communicate. When trying to elicit information on a patient’s health status, nurses should use
declarative statements such as, “You have a cough that keeps you awake at night,” and then
allow time for the patient to respond to the statement (Flowers, 2005). Native Americans find
that direct eye contact and talking in a loud voice rude and value their personal space. Utilizing
the Heritage Assessment Tool will help establish the degree which the individual identifies with
their heritage.
Targeted questions for building a health history from the young Native American should
focus on why he has anxiety. The family history of diabetes and hypertension is important but
only if it is the cause for his anxiety. Alcoholism should be reflected on more since the
gentleman reports use of alcohol for treating his anxiety and that the abuse of alcohol and other
drugs are the highest among Native Americans than other ethnic groups. Asking the gentleman if
he has seeked advice from a skilled healer is of great importance as well in order to avoid
possible adverse reactions between both treatments. Five questions for this individual are: