IMPROVING CULTURAL AWARENESS

Introduction  People of Latin American origin have to cope up with many opposing situations here. That is why it is necessary to find out what problems these people face. In order to provide them with sufficient facilities to gain quality health, these have to be evaluated carefully. In the present display of some slides we are going to come across some of these problems and at the same time we will try to see how these can be tackled effectively.

Population Group Feature  The 2010 US Census reveals that 16% of the American population is from Hispanic or Latin American origin. In 2000 US Census the percentage was 13%. So these people are increasing year by year. In fact, in the US population this ethnicity has grown most among all other ethnicities if we look at last 10 years of statistics.

Health Hazards  Compared to the remaining US population, the Latino people get affected by some chronic illnesses much more.  Women of this group of population suffer more from health conditions than men.  Financial hardship and lack of access to right healthcare facilities are the main grounds.  Among the chronic health problems diabetes, cardiac problem and arthritis are foremost.

Aspects of Environmental or Societal Risk  “ Financial Stress: Healthcare Expense  Emigrated People: Authorized vs. Unlawful  Transport Facility: Without Driving License  Inadequate Communication: Language Barrier

Prototype of Cultural Awareness  Developing an understanding of ethnic and social beliefs, ideals and traditions disturbing the healthcare access by the Latino or Hispanic people.  Sharing of cultural experiences related to taking care of the patients of the particular group to increase the efficiency of nursing.  Establishment of a feeling of being in the same group can enhance the understanding of the culture.

Employing the Cultural Awareness Prototype to Hispanic Patients  Acknowledge, value and then use the cultural knowledge of Hispanic population to provide healthcare facilities.  Nurses need to be educated in Hispanic tradition.  Sharing of nursing experience can benefit all the colleagues as anyone may have insight into a particular type of problem of offering healthcare services to the Hispanic groups.

Initial Policy  Raise participation of Latinos in the nursing and healthcare areas  Raise more prospect of education  Employment and reserve plans  Awareness programs at high schools  Development of mentoring

Second Step  Raise awareness of culture of non-Latino nursing specialist  Arrange Workshops/Seminars  Teach language proficiency  Help from interpreters or similar service  Raising comprehension of variation among cultures

Core Hindrance  Insufficient entry to healthcare facilities  Problem with document filling  Transport problem  Monetary problem  Insufficient or no insurance coverage  Inability to see how American system works

Secondary Hindrances  Language Incompetency and differences in cultural ideals and traditions  Many Latinos are inefficient in speaking, reading, or writing English  Most healthcare givers have different cultures of their own  Latinos have different conceptions about illness and its roots and cures  Healthcare employees may not understand Latino belief system and traditions

Healthy People 2020 Policy  Conscious communities can accommodate healthy citizens  Identifying Main Health marker  Implementation of plans  Categorize Objectives, Mission and Dream  Identify Major Areas for Discussion

Watson’s Theory: Overview  Jean Watson - Her Transpersonal Nursing Theory  Expected change in patients  Medical caritas procedure

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