Cultural Diversity in Patients

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This essay will focus on outlining the fundamental principles of cultural diversity and how effective nursing interventions are used when providing an adequate amount of care for an individual from a culturally diverse background and how this may collide with the nursing therapeutic engagement. This essay will give the reader an insight upon culture whilst giving a significant explanation of cultural differences within a health setting. The patient’s real name will not be used and will be referred to as Mr. X. This is in line with the Nursing and midwifery Council 2008 (NMC, 2008) requirements to maintain confidentiality at all times. Mr. X is a 54 year old, single unemployed man, who is from an Afro-Caribbean background, he has been in contact with psychiatric services on and off since 10th april 1987 with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is arguably the most serious major psychiatric disorder, and often has profound effect over the lifetime on daily functioning (Kim T. Mueser, Dilip V.Jeste, 2008) Mr. X is a Rastafarian, and has one of the most visible practices of Rastafarians ‘dreadlocks’ The layers they are in; means the appearance of a lion’s mane, represent strength, naturalness, simplicity and the Rasta’s’ roots in Africa, cited from, Morrish (1973). Mr.X has been using an illicit substance called cannabis before admission – Mr. X explains that he uses this as a medicinal purpose as it is a cultural ritual to use marijuana. In this particular situation it leads the author to understand that cultural differences can prevent effective communication and mutual understanding between two cultures. Patient X has a tendency to sometimes be vocal, argumentative with loud speech. Once asked to lower his voice... ... middle of paper ... ... Mind guidelines (2004) diveristy: African carribean (online). Available from: Mhttp://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Diversity/The+African+Caribbean+Community+and+Mental+Health.htm (accessed 3 march 2009) Mind guidelines (2004) Statistics 3: Race, culture and mental health (online). Available from: http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Statistics/Statistics+3.htm (accessed 28 October, 2008) Morris, D. 2008 using antipsychotics in primary care source: independent Nurse. Pp. 35 – 6 NCBI (online) available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=hstat5.chapter.971 (accessed 15 March 2009) NMC (2008) Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for Conduct, Performance and Ethics, Nursing and Midwifery Council. Wondrak, R. (2004) Interpersonal Skills for Nurses and Health Care Professionals. Oxford: Blackwell Science Ltd

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