Response to Diversity

Definition/Etiology:

• Diversity = Sensitivity
  • Diversity is defined as those differences that make each person unique.
  • Culture is learned, shared, and transmitted values, beliefs, and practices of a particular group
  • Subculture
    • Example: LGTBQ+
  • Subcultures also exist and are a recognizable segment of a larger cultural group that shares some characteristics of the larger group but with unique features of its own.
    • Example: Trans patient
  • Analogy: Diversity is being invited to the party without having to chase the invite.
• Etiology
  • National origin
  • Religion
  • Age
  • Gender Identity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Education
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Ability vs disability

Noticing: Assessment & Recognizing Cues:

• Unique Patient
  • Communication patterns
    • Eye Contact
  • Orientation to own space
    • gestures more, and express more emotion in their communication.
  • Social organizations (broad to specific)
    • National Urban League – Civil rights for minorities
    • National Association of Black Accountants, Inc.
  • Environmental controls
    • Transient/homeless = no Access to ventilation
  • Biological Variations
    • Black Race – Sickle Cell

Interpreting: Analyzing & Planning:

• Assessing self rather than the patient
• Self-Assessment
  • Cultural Beliefs – Learned
    • Example: If I steal I will be spiritually punished.
  • Values – It’s easy not to steal if I have the resources that I need to live
  • Respect of the Unfamiliar vs Bias
    • Bias: Thieves are terrible people
    • Respect: I will take care of this patient, despite my feelings about morals.

Responding: Patient Interventions & Taking Action:

• Cultural Diversity
  • Language translation resources
    • Include educational resources
  • Diverse Nursing staff
  • Flexibility in teaching methods
• Spiritual Diversity
  • Schedule care to allow religious rituals
    • Communion
  • Dietary needs
    • Hindu population = no beef/pork
  • Refusal of blood
    • Alternatives like blood builders
• Generational Diversity
  • Baby Boomer
    • Resistant to technology like healthcare apps
  • Gen-x
    • Embrace diversity
  • Millennials
    • Difficulty focusing on several tasks at a time

Reflecting: Evaluating Patient Outcomes:

• Be aware of biological variations among cultures, such as body structure, skin/hair color, population-specific diseases, and psychological coping characteristics.
• Recognize that dietary and religious practices and cultural taboos have important implications related to nursing care.
• Patients’ reactions to pain are sometimes culturally driven.
• Note cultural practices and modify care as necessary.

Linchpins (Key Points):

• Notice – Unique Human Being
  • Diverse, own culture, subculture
• Interpret – A self assessment
  • Can’t respond diversity without this important process
• Respond
  • Cultural, Spiritual, Generationally diverse nursing interventions
    • Example: Don’t assume a baby boomer will like using an APP
• Reflect – Modify care to respect their unique human being