Week 8: Cultural Competence & Care in the Community

Cultural Competence & Care in the Community

When working within the community environment, encountering different cultures will have an impact on the nurses approach towards the clients. For example when working in a rural aboriginal community, predominantly the nurse will be working with indigenous clients. I believe it is important to gain a solid understanding of the cultural health practices and beliefs of your local community and the members before reflecting individual healthcare values onto others. It is also important to recognize there may be challenges in developing a trusting and reciprocal relationship with community members. I believe it is important to engage with the community and develop a relationship outside of work, to be able to gain an insight on the cultural expectations in healthcare. 

When working within diverse communities it is common to notice barriers that affect individuals access to healthcare. It is common to see poorer health outcomes for people using illicit drugs and alcohol and homeless people and youth. Personally reflecting on a report written by Vicki-Ann Ware (2013), I can conclude that the four main barriers found in indigenous communities are availability, affordability, appropriateness and acceptability. I believe that these barriers are the main reason why individuals from indigenous communities do not access healthcare. I believe that barriers may vary between different communities but will always link back to availability, affordability, appropriateness and acceptability. 

Childhood immunisation is an issue that some parents may not agree with, this is known as conscientious objection of immunisation. Personally I believe that childhood immunisation is a necessary responsibility that all parents must be aware of and most importantly follow through. Strategies that can be incorporated to promote childhood immunisation are ensuring that all people have access to the vaccination, promote the importance of immunisation throughout social media and parenting groups, the use of pamphlets and flyers within doctor surgeries, hospitals, schools, child care and regular checkups (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The effects of not immunising children leads to a higher risk for yourself and child, potentially catching a preventable disease or illness. Fighting these diseases can take a great deal of time, mandatory isolation, money, and pain.

Nurses entering the specialty of community nursing must highlight not only their clinical skills, but also their critical thinking, advocacy, and analytical abilities. Communities are dynamic, and nurses must adapt to be able to provide patients with whatever care they need. I have lived rural my whole life and have faced the difficulties of accessing healthcare on numerous occasions. Travel is one of the biggest issues we have to face when accessing healthcare as well as the travel expenses. We frequently travelling to Brisbane for specialist care and have considered moving in order to be closes to health facilities. Health professionals also face the challenge of working in rural based locations. From my understanding the health professional may feel very isolated, stressed or burnout due to lack of medical professionals, demands of time, and the diversity of skill level. Living rural has an impact on all, and it is important to understand the hardships one may be facing. 

References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Immunisation Strategies for Healthcare Practices and Providers. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/strat.pdf

Ware, V., (2013). Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare. Closing the Gap. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/uploadedFiles/ClosingTheGap/Content/Publications/2013/ctgc-rs27.pdf