The study to explore the nature and extent of culture specific nursing care in the regions G, D and H of KwaZulu-Natal
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Date
2001
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Abstract
The purpose of the research study was to explore and describe the nature and extent of culture specific nursing care in the clinical area of "hospitals in the regions of G, D and H of KwaZuIu-Natal, as well as to make recommendations for improvement.
Attitudes of patients and nurses and their perceptions with regard to culture congruent care were explored, as well as their attitudes to the inclusion of culture in the nursing curriculum and the promotion of respect for and understanding of the patients and clients.
The research design was a descriptive survey using both the qualitative and quantitative methods of investigation.
Interviews were conducted personally by the researcher, to elicit findings by using Guba's model of qualitative research. This model is concerned with the trustworthiness of the qualitative research. The student nurses filled in their own questionnaires without any intimidation from the researcher, and they returned them after completion.
Based on the findings of the study the following factors were found to prevent culture specific nursing care.
► Poor knowledge about the different cultures of the people leading to the misunderstanding of the values and beliefs of the clients and patients.
► Lack of sufficient knowledge about culture leads to inability to solve cultural problems of the patients and nurses being unable to advocate for the patients in their problems.
There was a need for inclusion of cultural subjects into the curriculum of the students of nursing.
As South Africa is a multicultural and multilingual country there is a need for an attempt to be made to the teach nurses about some of the cultures, values and beliefs of the different peoples.
The respondents were agreeable to the fact that many advantages would be achieved by rendering culture congruent care to patients and nurses, and by learning of the culture and languages of the people. This would enhance communication between patients and nurses and promote good relationships in the clinical area among doctors, nurses and patients.
Ethical consideration was maintained throughout the study.
on the findings, the following recommendations were made:
Inclusion of culture as a subject in the curriculum of nursing. This would help prepare nurses to be sensitive about the culture of the patients and therefore render culture congruent care in the clinical areas.
The nurse educators to promote culture oriented nursing care during student accompaniment.
Nurse educators to instil in students an understanding of and respect for all the people's cultural values and beliefs in the clinical area when students are exposed to such areas.
Listening to and respecting the patients' requests to go and do cultural rituals at home as long as the patients are not critically ill and not at risk of life. This pacifies the patients and even promotes compliance to treatment.
► Encourage students to learn more about other people's cultures as well as other people's languages, even if it is only to greet the other person in his or her own language.
Nurse educators to include professional nurses in the clinical area to promote culture specific nursing care, as there must be collaboration between nurse educators and clinicians in student accompaniment and support.
Description
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements fro the degree M.A. Curationis in Nursing Science Department at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2001.
Keywords
Nursing care