Competent nursing might prove to be a complicated subject with a variety of aspects to consider. Like any other medical practice, it concerns a power imbalance between a specialist and a patient and involves dealing with sensitive and dangerous matters. Hence the principles of culturally competent nursing care essential to understand for anyone who decides to pursue the nursing practice. In this paper, I aim to reflect on the five constructs of Campinha-Bacote’s model of the Process of Cultural Competence, as well as the mission statement of St. Thomas University. I also aim to provide my personal beliefs on these principles and comment on how these beliefs will be applied in my nursing practice in the future.
Campinha-Bacote’s model of the Process of Cultural Competence includes the values of Cultural Desire, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Knowledge, Cultural Skill, and Cultural Encounters. These five principles are crucial for the culturally competent delivery of healthcare according to the said model. Cultural Desire is the motivation of the healthcare professional to engage in the learning process of other cultures and is, arguably, the key component required for the model to function. Cultural Awareness concerns one’s understanding of the pre-existing biases towards different cultures, as well as willingness to work with them (Campinha-Bacote, 2002).
Cultural knowledge ensures the healthcare professional strives to obtain an educational base about a foreign culture, while Cultural Skill reflects the ability to incorporate this knowledge into the treatment. Finally, the Cultural Encounters aspect focuses on face-to-face interactions with patients from different cultures, which directly helps to avoid stereotyping. Research has shown that culturally competent nursing reduces the psychological impact of negative healthcare encounters (Flynn et al., 2020). Therefore, I believe that applying these principles to nursing practice is vital for the provision of inclusive and competent healthcare services.
As a college based on Catholic doctrines of moral obligation and responsibility, St. Thomas University centers its mission statement and values around the pursuit of truth, dignity, and personal attention. All of these values are represented in the model of Cultural Competence in healthcare, as the principles of the model ensure an inclusive and respectful experience for all patients. I believe that the model is effective in protecting the non-discrimination and equal treatment of the patient base in nursing care.
As globalization becomes increasingly more evident in our daily lives, healthcare professionals must adjust their worldviews to accommodate patients from all over the world (Yeganeh, 2019). The best way to achieve this would be to follow the existing ethical guidelines and models that concern one’s respect for other cultures. The University’s health college only strengthens this position further by emphasizing the importance of enabling students to become independent professionals outside of the school setting.
To conclude this reflection, I would like to re-emphasize my thoughts on the Cultural Competence model and the University’s mission statement concerning the nursing practice. I believe that the principles of the model are instrumental to the achievement of the values depicted in the mission statement of the College. Cultural Competence and its consistent pursuit are the only way towards sensitive and sensible healthcare in the modern world. This particular model is unique in how it views Cultural Competence as an ongoing process rather than a one-time achievement. As nobody is free of biases, healthcare professionals should consciously work to dismantle their own and provide patients with the highest standard of care.
References
Campinha-Bacote, J. (2002). The Process of Cultural Competence in the Delivery of Healthcare Services: A Model of Care. Journal Of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 181-184. Web.
Flynn, P., Betancourt, H., Emerson, N., Nunez, E., & Nance, C. (2020). Health professional cultural competence reduces the psychological and behavioral impact of negative healthcare encounters. Cultural Diversity And Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26(3), 271-279. Web.
Yeganeh, H. (2019). An analysis of emerging trends and transformations in global healthcare. International Journal Of Health Governance, 24(2), 169-180. Web.