Die realiteit van transkulturele verpleging : 'n etiese perspektief

Abstract

Transcultural nursing refers to the provision of nursing care to patients whose values, beliefs and life-style differ from those of the nurse. To enable nurses to honour their ethical obligation to provide quality care, they must have the necessary knowledge to nurse patients across cultural boundaries. This study was conducted to determine the nurse's knowledge of and attitudes towards the culturally different patient. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. Although nurses see it as a challenge to nurse patients from different cultures, it was found that they do not have the necessary knowledge to provide culture-sensitive care. Other factors, such as the nurse's attitude towards culturally different patients, communication problems, mistrust, prejudice and a lack of understanding of cultural uses and traditions, contribute to the lack of culture-sensitive care. The nursing profession should pay attention to these problems.