Explain two nursing interventions, and rationales, that you would use in caring for aboriginal and torres state islander to promote a quality caring relationship and rapport, and minimize risks associated with culturally unsafe practice. The nursing interventions are to be focused asfollows:
a. One nursing intervention, including rationale, to promote his trust in your care.
b. One nursing intervention, including rationale, to promote his sense of your valuing his culture.
Answer
A patient nurse relationship is always defined as a relationship based on mutual respect and trust which is nurtured on the basis of hope and faith. It is important that a nurse is sensitive to others as well as self and assisting with the fulfillment in your patient’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs through your skill and knowledge. Aboriginal and Torres islanders are a diverse group that is made up of people from different language groups. Therefore while nursing this percentage of population it is important that the nurses recognize the impact of colonization on these people and culture. Nurses need to gain knowledge about their history and culture.
Nursing intervention and rationale to promote aboriginal and Torres state islander trust in my care would include:
Firstly I would approach the client in a non judgmental and calm manner. I would have an open posture, matter of fact voice tone and maintain good eye contact. I will make sure that the patient understands me. I will ask whether he understands the language and is comfortable with the way I am speaking. Example would be, by introducing me as “Hi, I am Jennifer, your nurse and I am part of the care team who is going to work with you during your stay here”.
I would ask how he would want me to address him as Aboriginal people refer each another by their boundary name some examples are New south Wales= koori/Goorie/Koorie/Coorie/Murri etc. but some Aboriginal find it rude if a non Aboriginal calls them from their boundary name.
I would use clear and uncomplicated language and avoid using jargons.
There are many non verbal communications gestures that the Aboriginal use that include facial gestures. I will make sure that I am accustomed to these gestures.
The best way to gain trust is to know them better. I would not only know about the patient’s disease but will learn about their hobbies, interests and children. Aboriginal people may delay responses or delay in presenting their opinion in order to listen to the other person first. I would always wait for my turn to speak. This will help us to know them better and to anticipate their needs which in turn would show them that we care for their wellbeing. (Cang-Wong,2009).
The most important fact that has to be remembered while interacting with a patient is to actively listen to how the client is describing self and how he describes his relationship with others. Traditional Aboriginal Torres communication is based on sharing of information so I would be share regular updates with the patient based on their health. (Kite, & Davy, 2015).
I will always encourage them to share their thoughts through deep discussions. For example “Hi John how are you feeling today ? Why don’t you tell me about your day when you come to meet me in the craft’s room at 7:00”.
Assessment regarding the client comfort level in the surroundings is needed therefore I would frequently ask him questions like “Hi, John how do you feel here? ”. I would always practice a caring and calm approach around my patient which will help me to earn their trust. Through this they would feel accepted.
I would be sensitive towards their culture and their support towards traditional healing. I would provide privacy if they need to perform some ceremonial healing ceremonies.
Rationale:-
My caring and calm approach will help to promote trust and care in the patient nurse relationship.
Nursing intervention, including rationale, to promote his sense of your valuing his culture would include:-
I will be culturally aware. I would have knowledge about the patient history and the area from where he belongs. As they do not have a universal Aboriginal language and their culture is an oral culture. Their English varies according to the geographical area they belong to.
Aboriginal people have strong family bonds and values. They believe in “community as family”. Therefore I will always be aware and respectful towards the family and community members that come to visit him. (Brooke, 2011).
In Aboriginal culture they believe in some practices and cultures that are performed by women and men separately. There are strict regulations for these practices, I will make sure that I know these practices and know what to split in order to discuss issues separately according to gender basis.
It may be times when I could be asked to leave the room as a non Aboriginal. I would ensure that I don’t take offense but respect their sensitive aboriginal issues. (Schütze et al.,2017)
Respect for land, Elders, ancestors and animals are the fundamental aspects of the Aboriginal culture. Therefore I would always ensure that the Elders are consulted and well informed about the treatment that the patient is receiving.
Rationale:- My understanding towards the community and culture by involving family, elders and community in the patient care.
References
Brooke, N. (2011). Needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients residing in Australian residential aged-care facilities. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 19(4), 166-170. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1584.2011.01207.x
Cang-Wong, C. (2009). Nursing Responses to Transcultural Encounters: What Nurses Draw on When Faced with a Patient from Another Culture. The Permanente Journal, 13(3). https://dx.doi.org/10.7812/tpp/08-101
Kite, E., & Davy, C. (2015). Using Indigenist and Indigenous methodologies to connect to deeper understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ quality of life. Health Promotion Journal Of Australia, 26(3), 191. https://dx.doi.org/10.1071/he15064
Schütze, H., Jackson Pulver, L., & Harris, M. (2017). What factors contribute to the continued low rates of Indigenous status identification in urban general practice? - A mixed-methods multiple site case study. BMC Health Services Research, 17(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2017-6