Essay On Cultural Sensitivity

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In a society that is as culturally diverse as the United States of America, health care professionals must understand the meaning of culture and the differences between cultural sensitivity and cultural competence. Merriam-Websters online dictionary defines culture as the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time. Blais and Hayes (2011) defines cultural sensitivity as “the respect and appreciation for cultural behaviors based on an understanding of the other person 's perspective” (p.383). Betancourt, J., Green, A. & Carrillo, E. (2002) stated, “cultural competence in health care describes the ability of systems to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors, including tailoring delivery …show more content…

No one person has the knowledge, awareness, or perfect understanding of every culture. The nation is made up of a multifaceted and diverse population of people. We are all at different levels of cultural comprehension during any period in our lives. Mastering cultural competence and cultural sensitivity is not a straightforward process. It takes an awareness of self, educating oneself about other cultures, and an open mindedness in order to obtain the skills needed to work with and understand ethnocultural groups. Exploring the variety of multicultural groups is a lifelong process and must include the ability to grow, change, and adapt as we progress as an inclusive nation of …show more content…

It is vital that bias, stereotyping, and prejudices become a non factor in the care of clients. Health care providers must have respect, tolerance, and the ability to adapt to a variety of cultural behaviors. According to Blais and Hayes (2011), “Nurses must be aware of their own cultural beliefs, because these may affect the care they give. When assessing a client, a nurse considers the client’s cultural values, beliefs, and practices related to health and health care” (p.403). It is essential that health care professionals provide the best care for patients regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or culture. In order to achieve this goal, it is imperative that continuing education in culture and diversity remain at the forefront of healthcare environments and

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