Reference List

Reference List

Ahmann, E., & Dokken, D. (2012). Strategies for Encouraging Patinet/Family member Partnerships With the Health Care Team. Pediatric Nursing, 38(4), 232-235 4p. Retrieved from http://www.pediatricnursing.org/

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2012). 2011 Census reveals one in four Australians is born overseas, 2012 [Cat. No. 59]. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au

Daly, J., Speedy, S. & Jackson, D. (2014). Contexts of Nursing. Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia

Fleming, M. L., & Parker, E. (2012). Introduction to Public Health. Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia

Health Workforce Australia. (2013). Health LEADS Australia: the Australian health leadership framework. Retrieved from https://www.aims.org.au/documents/item/352

Jones, K. & Creedy, D. (2012). Health and Human Behaviour. South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press Australia

Kozier, B., Erb, G., Berman, A., Snyder S., Levett-Jones, T., Dwyer, T., … Stanley, D. (2015).                       Fundamentals of Nursing (Australian ed.). Melbourne, Vic: Pearson Australia

McMurray, A., & Clendon, J. (2011). Community Health and Wellness (4^th ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia

Week seven bl: Multiculturalism and Health

Week seven’s topic was multiculturalism and health. As Australia is well known as a multicultural society (Daly, Speedy & Jackson, 2014, p. 342) it is imperative that up and coming nurses are well versed in this topic. The readings given delved into the barriers immigrants to Australia face, such as language difficulties and the lowered health literacy this can cause, an expectation to assimilate into Australian society, a lack of knowledge about the facilities available to assist them and the large distances they may have to travel in order to access appropriate health care.

The interview with Mercy was also eye opening, in that she herself has been an immigrant from Ghana to America and now Australia. She shared some of the problems she faced, and her views on how health professionals could make things more comfortable for others in the same situation. One comment she made stuck with me – that just because two people are from the same area, we should not assume that they want the same thing. This reverts back to the information from week six, where we learned that there are often sub-cultures within cultures, and they can differ in a surprising number of ways. Mercy believes that we should be open-minded and treat each patient as an individual, asking them what they want to avoid any confusion or presumptions. I believe this to be excellent advice. If, in my nursing career, I make it clear to my patient that I am asking questions, not out of judgement, but out of a need to give them the best care possible, it will not only make my job easier, but ensure my patient feels that they are being cared for as a whole person.

In the phone interview conducted by Penny, her interviewee mentioned that in every religion there are good and bad people. This is an important insight, and one that reinforces to me Mercy’s comment of treating everyone individually. There is no room in health care for prejudice and unfounded bias.

Week eleven blog - Disability, Disadvantage, Vulnerability and Stigma

Jones and Creedy (2012, p. 75) define disability as a “characteristic of the body, mind or senses that affect a person’s ability to engage independently in some or all aspects of day-to-day life”. Disability, then, can vary widely. People with a disability have trouble with their speech, hearing, understanding or physical tasks. This makes their life very challenging, and they must adapt to the best of their ability to ensure quality of life. When the people they encounter in their lives treat them as objects of pity or ridicule, or treat them as less of a person, it can impact their sense of self in detrimental ways.

The disadvantages that people with disabilities come up against every day are many and varied. Public transport, dealing with bureaucracy and access are all advantages that those who don’t have disabilities take for granted. I was surprised to learn in the interview with Peter that even food on a plate can present a challenge if it is not described to him. It was a good tip for my nursing career that hopefully can help someone in the same situation.

Stigma is defined by Jones and Creedy (2012, p. 201) as “disapproval that may be attached to an individual who differs from social or cultural norms”. This disapproval can be bought against people who are different in their race, religion, sexual orientation, mental health status or disability. This can contribute to the feeling of vulnerability that may already be occurring for those that are different to society's perception of normal.

I found the interviews in this week fascinating and believe that they have taught me some valuable lessons as I move forward as a nurse. Kay who identifies as LGBT mentioned the victimisation of her son, showing that the families are also affected by bias. In the last interview, Kay who was representative of the physical disabled said an important thing for nurses to remember was that being valued and cared for made patients feel human. There was a common thread that people in these vulnerable situations want to be listened to so that they can have their needs met properly. No matter what disability or difference anyone has, they are still a person first.

Week ten blog - Health Literacy

During week ten, we focused on the topic of health literacy. Health literacy can be defined as “the ability to make sound health decisions in everyday life” (McMurray & Clendon, 2011). Those who are more at risk of having lowered health literacy are those for whom English is a second language, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic minorities and older adults. Previous to completing this module, I had not thought of health literacy as a determinant of health. Since concluding the readings and interview, however, it makes sense that this is an issue health practitioners should be made aware of. McMurray and Clendon (2011) point out that people who are affected by low health literacy may not in fact think to point this out to their practitioner, so it is imperative that the practitioner themselves are capable of assessing their patient to confirm this. Once a lowered level of health literacy is determined, there are steps that can be taken to empower the patient to take control of, and improve, their health outcomes.

The interview for this module was with Peter, a truly inspiring gentleman who is vision impaired. He makes use of a guide dog, which he has named Pebbles, and is an active defender of the rights of disabled people. Peter describes the depression he felt when he was first diagnosed with his condition and his eventual employment by Lifeline. Being gainfully employed has empowered him to be an advocate for others who are living with disability and to be an active participant in his own health. As someone who wants to be a nurse, I found some of his comments to be quite instructive. He mentions the fact that many people feel like a number when they are admitted to hospital, and that many nurses are so busy they cannot care for their patient’s mental or emotional wellbeing. Peter mentions that the worst thing you can do to a disabled person is to be condescending, patronising or indifferent. I found this interview to be enlightening on many levels, and I feel that in my own nursing practice this will help me to be more considerate of people with disabilities and to listen to their own thoughts on how I can help them with more than only medical care.

Week nine blog - Equity and Diversity in the Workplace

Week nine’s lecture focused on equity and diversity in the workplace. Although no interview was supplied, the lecture raised some interesting points. As nurses working in a modern Australia, we can expect to work in a multicultural workforce. Almost one quarter of Australians were born overseas, and over forty per cent have at least one parent born in another country (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2012, ). Added to this we can expect to work alongside nurses of different religious affiliations, nurses from up to four generations, those for whom English is a second language and nurses from both genders. Being able to work as a team without any bias or prejudice is important and it is up to each individual health care worker to become a leader in this issue, ensuring that there is a higher workplace satisfaction among all those who work in the health industry. Health Workforce Australia (2013) has shown that workplace satisfaction has a positive effect on patient care. I believe that this issue will one day be null and void, but that it is up to us in the meantime to lead others in ensuring that no health worker is discriminated against for who they are or what they believe in.

Week 8 blog - Cultural Competence and Care in Communities

The topic for week eight was cultural competence and care in communities. What this means, according to Zozier et al. (2015, p. 353) is that nurses must ‘attend to the total context of the persons’ situation and use a complex combination of knowledge, attitudes and skills’. To put this in a community context, during our nursing careers we can expect to come across people in hugely varied set of circumstances. People from different socioeconomic states, people living with different physical and mental disabilities, patients who are dealing with mental illness and patients whose geographical location affects not only the health care they have access to but their attitude towards it. Each of these patients will have a unique set of needs and expectations, and as nurses we will have to accommodate them to the best of our ability without judgement and sometimes contrary to our own belief system.

The video for week eight focused on Rosalie, who is the mother and full time carer of Rikki, a twenty-six year old woman with epilepsy, autism and spina bifida. Rosalie has gone to great lengths to ensure the health and well-being of her daughter, and spoke of what she would like a nurse to do if she were not there to take care of Rikki herself. Most important to Rosalie was the dignity and tolerance she would like shown. Although communication is difficult with Rikki, it is important to get on her level and show that you are interested and concerned with her needs. Rosalie mentioned that she has written up a plan for the carers who take Rikki in respite care which could be given to nurses if Rikki were ever to be admitted to hospital. I believe that as a nurse this would be beneficial as each patient is different and someone in Rikki’s situation has difficulty communication her desires. Tips such as her security items would be invaluable in ensuring her hospital stay was as positive as possible. 

Week 6 Blog - Cultural Health Practices and Beliefs

During week six the topic was cultural health practices and beliefs. The focus was the different views and practices of various faiths. The intent was to demonstrate that culturally aware nurses should try to be aware and respectful of other people’s beliefs while fulfilling their duty to ensure that the best care possible is given to each individual. In the video I watched an interaction between a nurse and a terminally ill Aboriginal lady, where the nurse was trying to determine what could be done to ensure that the lady was as comfortable as possible and spiritually at peace before she passed on.

I was surprised by the amount of people available in a multi-disciplinary team to assist with many different aspects of the patient’s spiritual, emotional, physical, cultural and social well-being. Previously, I had believed that there were only a few people who would contribute to the physical health of the patient, and any emotional benefit was secondary. I now understand that there are many sides to a patient’s comfort that need to be addressed, and many more professionals who are capable of helping in this situation. This includes, but is not limited to: nurses, doctors, dieticians, occupational therapists, Aboriginal Liaison Officers (ALO), social workers, physiotherapists and assorted clergy of different faiths. Another, very important participant is that of family members, as shown in the video. The inclusion of the family members in the multidisciplinary team allows the patient to feel that they have a supporter who has their best interests at heart, and the family members themselves are able to feel that they are active participants who are no longer without a voice. This is especially important when the patient is from a culturally diverse background, as they are traditionally those most disadvantaged in the medical setting (Ahmann & Dokken, 2012).

In my role as a registered nurse, I think what I learned this week will benefit myself and my patients, as I will be willing to ask for help from other members of the multidisciplinary team to assist in a holistic form of healing for my patients.