Posted: November 11th, 2024

Cultural Competence in Healthcare: Application of the Purnell Model Essay

Cultural Competence in Healthcare: A Personal Experience and Application of the Purnell Model

Cultural competence is essential in healthcare, particularly as patient populations become increasingly diverse. Nursing professionals must adapt to various cultural backgrounds to provide effective care. This paper discusses a personal experience caring for a patient from a different culture and explores how the Purnell Model can enhance future cultural encounters. Additionally, it identifies the most critical domain of culture within the Purnell Model and explains its significance.

Personal Experience in Cultural Accommodation
During my time in an inpatient rehabilitation unit, I encountered a couple of Asian and Hispanic descent. The male patient, an 86-year-old man, had been admitted following a left hemorrhagic stroke, resulting in right-sided weakness. His wife, aged 83, was of Asian descent but spoke fluent Spanish, while her husband had limited English proficiency. This language barrier presented significant challenges during the admission process.

To accommodate their needs, I employed several strategies. First, I maintained a calm demeanor, smiling and speaking slowly to the husband. This approach seemed to foster cooperation and reduce anxiety. However, the uncertainty of communication remained a concern, as I often received incomplete or no responses to my questions. Instead of panicking, I recalled the hospital’s policy regarding communication assistance. I retrieved the “blue” phone, a device designed to connect healthcare providers with medical interpreters. This resource proved invaluable, allowing for effective communication without relying on family members.

Nonverbal communication also played a crucial role in establishing rapport with the patient and his wife. Simple gestures, such as smiling and maintaining eye contact, helped build trust and comfort. The experience underscored the importance of cultural competence, patience, and adaptability in nursing practice.

Application of the Purnell Model
The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence provides a framework for understanding and addressing cultural differences in healthcare settings. It consists of twelve domains that encompass various aspects of culture, including communication, family roles, and health practices. By applying this model, healthcare professionals can enhance their cultural awareness and improve patient outcomes.

In future encounters, the Purnell Model will guide my approach to cultural competence. For instance, understanding the significance of communication as a domain will allow me to prioritize effective interactions with patients from diverse backgrounds. By recognizing that communication styles may vary across cultures, I can adapt my methods to ensure clarity and understanding. This may involve using interpreters, employing visual aids, or adjusting my verbal communication style to meet the patient’s needs.

The Importance of Communication in the Purnell Model
Among the twelve domains of culture outlined in the Purnell Model, communication stands out as the most critical. Effective communication transcends cultural boundaries and is fundamental to establishing trust and understanding between healthcare providers and patients. When healthcare professionals communicate clearly and respectfully, they can better assess patient needs, provide appropriate care, and foster a supportive environment.

Moreover, effective communication can mitigate misunderstandings that may arise due to cultural differences. By prioritizing this domain, healthcare providers can enhance their cultural competence and improve patient satisfaction. As the patient population continues to evolve, the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds will become increasingly important.

Conclusion
Cultural competence is a vital aspect of nursing practice that requires ongoing effort and adaptation. The experience of caring for a patient from a different cultural background highlighted the importance of effective communication and cultural accommodation. By applying the Purnell Model, healthcare professionals can enhance their understanding of cultural differences and improve patient care. Ultimately, prioritizing communication within the Purnell Model will lead to better health outcomes and a more inclusive healthcare environment.

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Share an experience where you cared for a patient in the healthcare setting who was from a culture different from your own. How did you accommodate this patient’s needs? How would you apply the Purnell Model to future cultural encounters?
Which one of the twelve domains of culture from the Purnell Model do you feel is most important? Why?
Cultural accommodation is a priority in healthcare and daily life. Nursing professionals must willingly adapt to different cultures to provide excellent service. Cultural competence is a requirement that increases awareness of not only patients but also of the socioeconomic status. Paying special attention to the patient’s needs will also build rapport, reassure patient and provide a safe and comfortable environment.
A couple of Asian and Hispanic decent was accompanied to the inpatient rehab unit. The male patient of 86 years was the patient admitted with a left hemorrhagic stroke and right sided weakness. The husband was Spanish and could not follow simple commands in English. The wife was 83 years old and was of Asian descent but spoke fluent Spanish, but could not relate in English. This was proven to be a tough task during the admission process. However, I realized that by smiling and speaking slowly the husband/patient became more cooperative. The uncertainty of asking questions and receiving incomplete or no response was a major concern. Instead of panicking, the idea of utilizing the hospital policy for communication arose. The “blue” phone was the answer to the problem, so it was retrieved from storage and communication was in full effect. This communication device was used to call a medical interpreter instead of relying on a family member.
In addition, the nonverbal communication was a dominant component to displaying cultural competency. Smiling with the patient and wife was sufficient in gaining their trust. The Purnell model helped to certify how important competence, patience and cultural accommodation is. By initiating this model, the nurse will understand that patient population continues to change and become more diverse than once before. The most important domain in the Purnell model is communication because this transcends across all cultures. With proper communication, patients, family and clinical professionals may become more competent and culturally aware.

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