Learn as much as you can about the different culture and find language services like Marti or Language Line to help with translation services.
Handle? I guess I treat them the same, I may not understand their culture/language and they can educate me! Then...I can then translate my best actions to meet their needs on how they can take care of themselves and or add family assistance. Barriers are both ways and I enjoy the challenge trying to meet in the middle so we both learn and succeed.
Great question! Shows awareness and needs to cross a gap. There are many books written on transcultural nursing which break down cultural norms and are extremely intersting and helpful. I suggest gettingone as a starting reference point to read up on what is usual with your patients of different cultures. And while it's not wise to expect everyone to adhere to their cultural norms, a general background like this will provide a good place from which to learn and then individualize care. Do you have colleagues from different cultures to help you learn? Outreach to them might be useful. Most hospitals provide an interpretation phone - one line, two headsets; you can dial different numbers for various languages and an interpreter will translate everything for your patient as you speak. Failing that, google some basic phrases online to help you do your assessments and teaching. write them on file cards, have them laminated and keep them on your unit for all to use. In our ICU we used to punch holes in the related cards, tie them together as a 'pack' and take the desired language set from the drawer as needed. None of our patients ever complained or laughed when we used the cards for reference to communicate. They rather appreciated our effort to clarify care and speak with them. Is there a staff language directory in your facility? Perhaps one could be started with the names of various hospital staff across all disciplines who speak a different language and are willing to be called upon to help when family is not present. Do you have any cultural clubs in your community? Members of cultural groups are usually delighted to speak about their cultural norms in order to ensure better health care for others from their place of origin. Hope th is helps.
