NR 391 Week 3 Discussion Question: Healthcare Needs of a Specific Minority Group
Describe the healthcare needs of a minority group in your city or
... [Show More] town.
Briefly describe the characteristics of the minority group.
What opportunities do you see for improving the health of this group?
How would you communicate their healthcare needs to people of authority? Use titles instead of names to identify these individuals.
What is the role of the BSN-prepared nurse in enhancing communication skills related to cultural needs of this minority population?
One of the minority groups in the area that I live in is the Hispanic or Latino race.
1. Briefly describe the characteristics of the minority group.
There are various minority groups in Schenectady County but the one that I will speak about is the Hispanic/Latino race. This particular group faces many challenges and health risks. Some of the barriers they may face include language, lack of insurance, illiteracy and illegal immigration. Many may have various education levels or not be proficient with the English language. They are at an increased risk for certain chronic conditions, have difficulties accessing the appropriate healthcare and their health outcomes are secondary to others. One of the diseases that are prevalent in this group is type 2 diabetes. This is an enormous issue in this area. We see many Hispanic/Latino patients within our dialysis clinics. In my experience taking care of them they share a very strong family and religious bond and have distinct cultural beliefs and customs. The younger generation utilize English and Spanish where the older generation only speak Spanish which poses issues when trying to converse with others. Many of the lower income patients that we see do not know how to read or write.
2. What opportunities do you see for improving the health of this group?
An opportunity to improve the health of the minority group would be to reduce or eliminate the health disparity. Healthy People 2020 defines a health disparity as “a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage (Healthy People 2020). Improvements can be made by increasing awareness of how to manage diabetes with promoting good health. This could be done with a group of healthcare individuals that have specialized knowledge regarding the needs and services for this particular group and the region that they reside in. Having access to high quality, affordable healthcare is essential so that these individuals are able to receive the care that is needed. Education regarding how to navigate through the healthcare system is crucial as many individuals are unaware of what health services are available to them and how to access them.
3. How would you communicate their healthcare needs to people of authority? Use titles instead of names to identify these individuals.
Specialized community interventions that are culturally relevant to the people served are built on collaboration and partnerships between community leaders, health consumers, and health care providers (Andrews & Boyle, 2016, p. 318). Transparency among community leaders, consumers and healthcare providers is key in providing and ensuring that this group receives the best care possible. When addressing this minority group it is important to communicate with the father or oldest male. I have recently learned this through one of my patients. The eldest male holds the greatest power and influence on their families especially when making decisions. When conversing, they should always be addressed by their last name and avoid gestures. It is important to encourage the patient to ask questions. What I have found in working with this minority group in our clinics is that many times the family is very involved in the healthcare of the family member and their spiritual and religious influences play a big role in their daily lives.
4. What is the role of the BSN-prepared nurse in enhancing communication skills related to cultural needs of this minority population?
.A BSN prepared Nurse must be able to provide “interprofessional and intraprofessional communication, collaboration, and socialization, with consideration of principles related to communication with diverse cultures” (AACN, 2008). It is very important that the BSN-prepared nurse is able to interact effectively with the patient’s culture. Adjustments may need to be made by utilizing different tools to be able to communicate with the patient which may include utilizing pictorial or graphic tools or possibly a demonstrating what is trying to be conveyed.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2008). The essentials of baccalaureate education for professional nursing practice. Washington, DC: AACN. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/education-resources/baccessentials08.pdf/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
Andrews, M. M., & Boyle, J. S. (2016). Transcultural concepts in nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: PA. Wolters Kluwer.
Healthy People 2020, Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/about/foundation-health-measures/Disparities
https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/omh/documents/disparities.pdf
http://www.albanycounty.com/Libraries/Department_of_Health/2013_Community_Health_Assessment_and_CHIP_for_Albany_County.sflb.ashx
• Chapter 11: Culture, Family and Community (pp. 317–326; 335–355; 277–288; 296–305) [Show Less]