Describe a situation in which you have encountered a

culturally derived communication misunderstanding in a

healthcare setting with a patient, physician, colleague,
supervisor or administrator and its outcome.
What actions could you, in an advanced nursing role,
implement to prevent culturally derived miscommunications?
Are there ethical implications for not addressing cultural
miscommunications? (Use fictional names and places. Choose
a situation from the peer-reviewed literature if needed).

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To be culturally sensitive, the communication exchanged in this setting uses effective

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verbal and non-verbal interactions between individuals and groups with a mutual

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understanding of one another’s beliefs, values, culture and, preferences. Health care
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organizations and health care staff may increase effective communication when they

recognize and bridge cultural differences that can lead to miscommunication (Culture &
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aC s

health literacy Health literacy CDC, 2020).

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Recently I encountered an experience where the use of my professional language as a

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registered nurse made a patient’s family member misunderstand the education I was
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providing. Often, I tailor my communication to laymen terms so that it is easy for the patient

and their loved ones to understand and in this circumstance, I thought I was doing that. When
is
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I wrapped up the education, I asked, “Do you have any questions?” I noticed that the family

member did not make eye contact with me and did not ask a question, which prompted me to
sh

further question again, “Please let me know if there is something I missed or you don’t

understand, I want you to feel safe taking your loved one home.” This statement alone

allowed the family member and the patient to know, not only did I care about them, but I

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 cared about them understanding the education that was provided so that the transition going

home would be safe.

As an APRN, there are various ways to communicate with a patient and their family

members that would help decrease miscommunication. Translation services and interpreter

materials may be used for those with varying languages, along with ensuring that the services

are appropriate and are providing medical terms etc. in the patient’s language. Being aware of

your own cultural beliefs, values, attitudes, and, practices is one of the first step to ensure

awareness of being culturally competent. Culturally sensitive communication must be

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sensitive and open, along with working with the patient and family to come up with the best

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treatment while keeping their cultural beliefs intact (Claeys, Berdai-Chaouni, Tricas-Sauras &

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De Donder, 2020). Providing this type of communication allows for better outcomes and a
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positive rapport to develop.
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Some of the issues that could develop if cultural miscommunication is not addressed
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could result in patient’s and their families less likely to be satisfied with their perceptions of

the care that is taking place and the experiences of the care being provided. If
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miscommunication occurs, cultural disparities may occur leading to poor adherence to the

recommended treatment, poor health outcomes, and unfortunately, an increased prevalence of

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adverse events may occur. Cultural sensitivity should not be determined by the provider, but
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by the patient, this requires the provider to remain open-minded, incorporate the patient’s

specific cultural preferences by asking questions to better understand, and allowing the patient
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to express their needs as an individual (Shepherd, Willis-Esqueda, Newton, Sivasubramaniam,

& Paradies, 2019).

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 References

Claeys, A., Berdai-Chaouni, S., Tricas-Sauras, S., & De Donder, L. (2020). Culturally sensitive

care: Definitions, perceptions, and practices of health care professionals. Journal of

Transcultural Nursing, 104365962097062. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659620970625

Culture & health literacy | Health literacy | CDC. (2020, August 11). Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/culture.html

Shepherd, S. M., Willis-Esqueda, C., Newton, D., Sivasubramaniam, D., & Paradies, Y. (2019).

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er as
The challenge of cultural competence in the workplace: Perspectives of healthcare

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providers. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-

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