Values, beliefs and behaviours assessment answers

Subject Name : Healthcare

Values, Beliefs, and Behaviours

Part 1: Mind-Map

Figure: Mind-map reflecting values, beliefs, and behaviours that contribute to cultural identity and help in promoting cultural safety.

Part 2: Reflection

Cultural values, beliefs, and behaviours form the focus and direction in the life of a healthcare professional. It is essential to recognize that every individual, including patients, has a different set of values, beliefs, and behaviours towards a situation. Reflecting on one’s own cultural values, beliefs, and behaviours helps in understanding cultural and individual differences and enhances culturally safe practices.

This written piece reflects various values, beliefs, and behaviours that contribute to cultural safety and identifies areas that need improvement. The paper will also discuss the role of communication in contributing to cultural safety.

Values

Values, whether personal or professional, play a significant role in the lives of healthcare professionals. They impact the clinical decision-making of the healthcare provider (Moyo, Goodyear-Smith, Weller, Robb & Shulruf, 2016).

I feel that continuous learning is the most important personal value that nurses must imbibe to provide a culturally safe environment to patients. NMBA suggests this as a necessity under its Standard 3.3, which states that a registered nurse must use a lifelong learning approach that supports continuous professional development for self and others (NMBA, 2016).

Practicing culturally competent care requires ongoing learning about different cultural perspectives of patients. This allows patients to entrust healthcare professionals, leading to better health outcomes.

Integrity is a value that has considerable impact on clinical practice. It encompasses accountability, honesty, and responsibility. Having an integral approach helps patients feel valued and respected. Preserving patient integrity is one of the most important aspects of providing care in a multicultural sector where situations affecting patient safety are possible (Gorghiu, 2016). Healthcare providers must be vigilant about patients’ notions of integrity to treat them justly.

My approach has always been to treat my patients in a friendly manner, like I would treat a family member—guiding, deferring, and being firm. This is important, especially in small communities, but over-involvement can blur professional standards and act as a barrier in a healthcare provider’s career (Oxtoby, 2013). Drawing professional boundaries helps prevent improper relationships and maintain valuable patient-provider interactions.

Diversity is a crucial value that promotes a culturally safe environment among patients from various ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds (Usher, Mills & West, 2014). My approach toward multicultural groups strengthens patient relationships, enhancing trust in my clinical practices. The Australian Government values and celebrates cultural diversity as a key element in healthcare service delivery (AHRC, 2016).

Beliefs

Beliefs arise through varied experiences and are interrelated with reasons and experiences (AHRQ, 2015). My personal disbelief in religion may increase the probability of passing judgment over patients’ religious beliefs. Religious beliefs influence healthcare practices and outcomes (Rumun, 2014). Respecting patients’ religious beliefs and accommodating their spiritual needs is essential to culturally safe practice.

I have a deep respect for alternative medicine, which includes therapies such as yoga and acupuncture. These methods can reduce psychological distress, pain, and fatigue, improving overall well-being (Wang & Hagins, 2016). Incorporating these approaches provides patients with more personalized care.

Equality is a core principle in Australian healthcare. Healthcare professionals must promote equality, respect patient dignity, and ensure an anti-discriminatory approach (Pacquiao, 2018). My practice of maintaining equality among patients enhances care delivery for minority populations and supports culturally sensitive practices.

Patients’ dietary choices are often tied to cultural identity. While I favor advising a vegan diet for its nutritional benefits, I recognize the need to incorporate patients’ dietary preferences to ensure culturally safe care (Radnitz, Beezhold & DiMatteo, 2015).

Behaviour

Behaviour is crucial for engaging patients and influencing interactions while promoting culturally safe practices.

Empathetic behaviour is prominent in culturally safe care. Understanding patients’ situations from their perspectives helps develop cultural awareness and value patients in multicultural environments (Reynolds, 2017).

Self-discipline is a socially and morally responsible behaviour that supports optimal healthcare delivery (Patterson & Zibarras, 2017). It fosters responsibility, commitment to excellence, and effective care provision.

Assertive behaviour enhances therapeutic patient care. Nurses with assertive behaviour are more likely to advocate for patients’ rights and refuse unreasonable requests (Maheshwari & Gill, 2015). This supports culturally competent and effective team relationships.

Culturally sensitive communication is pivotal in establishing therapeutic relationships and managing conflicts (Fischman, 2015; Arnold & Boggs, 2015). Regular development of communication skills ensures patients feel culturally safe.

Conclusion

Understanding values, beliefs, and behaviours helps in creating shared goals and experiences. These elements are intrinsic to healthcare professionals. Communication plays a significant role in fostering culturally safe practices by establishing therapeutic relationships with patients.

Having insight into individual differences protects patients from cultural misunderstandings and improves clinical practice across multicultural healthcare environments, promoting enhanced healthcare delivery.

References

AHRC. (2016). The Success of Australia’s Multiculturalism. Retrieved from
AHRQ. (2015). Consider Culture, Customs, and Beliefs. Retrieved from
Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. U. (2015). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication skills for nurses. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Fischman, D. (2015). Therapeutic relationships and kinesthetic empathy. In The art and science of dance/movement therapy (pp. 65-84). New York: Routledge.
Gorghiu, L. M. (2016). From Ethics, Integrity and Moral Probity to Responsible Research and Innovation in Current Educational Practices. Romanian Journal for Multidimensional Education, 8(2).
Maheshwari, S. K., & Gill, K. K. (2015). Relationship of assertive behavior and stress among nurses. Delhi Psychiatry Journal, 18(2), 356-364.
Moyo, M., Goodyear-Smith, F. A., Weller, J., Robb, G., & Shulruf, B. (2016). Healthcare practitioners personal and professional values. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 21(2), 257-286.
NMBA. (2016). Registered Nurses Standards for practice. Retrieved from
Oxtoby, K. (2013). Where to draw the line in relationships with patients. BMJ, 346, f2848.
Pacquiao, D. (2018). Culturally Competent Multicultural Workforce. In Global Applications of Culturally Competent Health Care: Guidelines for Practice (pp. 275-286). Cham: Springer.
Patterson, F., & Zibarras, L. D. (2017). Selecting for creativity and innovation: Potential implications for practice in healthcare education. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 22(2), 417-428.
Reynolds, W. J. (2017). The measurement and development of empathy in nursing. London: Routledge.
Rumun, A. J. (2014). Influence of religious beliefs on healthcare practice. Int J Educ Res, 2(4), 37-48.
Usher, K., Mills, J., & West, R. (2014). Diversity in the context of multicultural communities: Implications for nursing and midwifery practice. In J. Daly, S. Speedy & D. Jackson (Eds.), Contexts of Nursing. Chatswood: Elsevier.
Wang, D., & Hagins, M. (2016). Perceived benefits of yoga among urban school students: A qualitative analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016.