Cultural Differences In Health Care

This is a case study essay to identify the relationship between culture and healthcare service in hospital setting. The essay will start with briefly explain the definition of culture and how it influences patients' behavior towards the effect of their health outcome. Then two provided case studies, the cases are from Raid Admission and Planning Unit (RAPU) in Royal Darwin Hospital, illustrate the importance of understanding the culture differences by identifying the problems and affect factors from patient's care in an actual setting, then provide nurse interventions. Applying Gibbs’ reflection model to identify the nurse's level of cultural competency and gain knowledge for different culture and integrating the various strategies, to improve

A is an indigenous, 50 years old man, evacuated from his Northern Territory community. Admitted post seizures, possible ear infection and temperature of 38.4. Computed Tomography (CT) head showed Mastoiditis, no hemorrhage, awaiting Brain Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Echocardiogram. History of seizure, Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Mr. A was in Rapu for two days. First day of hospitalization, nurse handover stated patient attempted to push them during his care. On taking over his care for day one and day two patient was verbally unresponsive to all staff, and non-fellow with nursing direction. Vitals stable. Patient was nil-by-mouth with intravenous (IV) fluid replacement and on a cardiac monitor for arrhythmia. Indwelling Catheter(IDC) was inserted pre-admission to ward. Previous hospital admission was two years prior and due to seizure. Indigenous Liaison Officer organized an escort. Speech therapist assessed his swallowing function enabling patient to have normal oral intake. Patient started to communicate in limited English, on day two after receiving a phone call from his brother, Mr. J at the end of second morning

Eggington (2012) stated that it is one of most challenging issues for health worker involved with assessing patients to make decision about their treatment care plans, as some staff lack of the knowledge of cultural competence about patient's perspectives. It impacts on patient's health outcome and reduce indigenous to utilities health services therefore cause health equity.

Berry, Crown and Deane (2012) stated that during medical consultation health professions asked patients series of questions repeatedly without using culturally correct terminology, and demanded answers related to their health problems without interpreter present. Or use sedation medication to calm patient's agitation which is the cause of ineffective communication. This would be a form of racial discrimination and could remind patients of their past historical colonization and the stolen generation leading to patients becoming reluctant to seek health services in the future. Furthermore Aspin, Brown, Jowsey ,Yen and Leeder(2012) identified aboriginal patients who were removed from their lands and family during hospitalization may present behavioral changes. For example, the patient did not respond to communication to health workers in this case and refused to have blood test done, which could be sign of culture shock. The best health care is to return patients to their traditional