Posted: August 19th, 2021

A Mind Map of Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model

Cultural Competence in Nursing Mind Map.

Create a mind map identifying the six cultural phenomena that should be considered when providing culturally appropriate care to patients, according to Giger and Davidhizar. For each phenomenon, provide a brief description and example.

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Cultural Competence in Nursing: A Mind Map of Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model

Nurses face increasing challenges in providing culturally appropriate care to diverse patient populations. Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model offers a framework for understanding and addressing cultural phenomena that impact patient care. An exploration of the six cultural phenomena identified by Giger and Davidhizar, with brief descriptions and examples for each, can enhance healthcare providers’ cultural competence and lead to more effective, patient-centered care.

The Six Cultural Phenomena

Communication

Communication encompasses verbal and non-verbal methods of transmitting information, ideas, and feelings between individuals. In healthcare settings, effective communication is crucial for accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient education. Cultural differences can significantly impact communication styles, patterns, and interpretations.

A nurse caring for a patient from a culture where direct eye contact is considered disrespectful may misinterpret the patient’s averted gaze as disinterest or dishonesty. Understanding this cultural norm allows the nurse to adjust their communication approach and avoid misunderstandings (Cox, 2022).

Space

The concept of space refers to the physical distance individuals maintain during interpersonal interactions. Cultural norms dictate acceptable distances for various social situations, including healthcare encounters. Awareness of spatial preferences can enhance patient comfort and trust.

In some Middle Eastern cultures, maintaining a larger personal space is common, especially between individuals of different genders. A nurse familiar with this cultural preference might stand slightly farther away when interacting with patients from these backgrounds, fostering a more comfortable environment for communication and care delivery (Giger & Davidhizar, 2021).

Social Organization

Social organization encompasses family structures, roles, and social support systems within a culture. Understanding these dynamics is essential for involving appropriate family members in care decisions and respecting cultural hierarchies.

In many Hispanic cultures, the concept of “familismo” emphasizes strong family ties and collective decision-making. A culturally competent nurse would recognize the importance of including extended family members in discussions about a patient’s care plan, respecting the family’s role in the healing process (Daniels, 2022).

Time

Cultural perceptions of time can vary significantly, affecting attitudes towards punctuality, waiting, and the pace of healthcare interactions. Some cultures prioritize a present-oriented approach, while others focus more on the future or past.

A nurse working with Native American patients might encounter a more circular, present-oriented concept of time. Such a perspective could impact appointment scheduling and adherence to treatment regimens. Adapting care plans to accommodate this cultural perspective on time can improve patient compliance and satisfaction (El-Messoudi et al., 2023).

Environmental Control

Environmental control refers to an individual’s perceived ability to direct factors in their environment. Cultural attitudes towards environmental control can significantly influence healthcare-seeking behaviors and treatment adherence.

Some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe in the concept of “qi” or life energy flowing through the body. A patient from this cultural background might prefer acupuncture or herbal remedies to Western medical treatments. A culturally competent nurse would acknowledge these beliefs and work to integrate traditional practices with evidence-based care when appropriate (Pal, 2022).

Biological Variations

Biological variations refer to genetic and physiological differences among ethnic groups that can affect health risks, disease prevalence, and treatment responses. While it’s crucial to avoid stereotyping based on race or ethnicity, awareness of potential biological variations can inform more personalized care approaches.

African American patients have a higher risk of developing hypertension compared to other ethnic groups. A culturally competent nurse would be aware of this increased risk and might emphasize blood pressure monitoring and lifestyle modifications for African American patients, even in the absence of other risk factors (Mora & Maze, 2024).

Implications for Nursing Practice

Understanding and applying Giger and Davidhizar’s six cultural phenomena can significantly enhance nursing practice in several ways:

Improved Patient-Provider Relationships

Considering cultural factors in communication, space, and social organization allows nurses to build stronger, more trusting relationships with their patients. Trust is fundamental to effective care delivery and patient compliance with treatment plans (Lasmaida & Dedi, 2024).

Enhanced Patient Education

Knowledge of cultural phenomena allows nurses to tailor patient education strategies to be more culturally appropriate and effective. Understanding time orientations can help in explaining the importance of medication schedules or follow-up appointments in a way that resonates with the patient’s cultural perspective (陶冶, 2022).

More Accurate Assessments

Awareness of biological variations and cultural beliefs about environmental control can lead to more comprehensive and accurate patient assessments. Such knowledge helps nurses distinguish between cultural norms and potential health issues, reducing the risk of misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment (Tolle, 2024).

Increased Patient Satisfaction

Patients whose cultural beliefs and practices are respected and incorporated into their care tend to report higher overall satisfaction with healthcare experiences. Higher satisfaction can lead to better health outcomes and increased likelihood of seeking timely medical care in the future (Okolo et al., 2024).

Reduced Health Disparities

Providing culturally competent care allows nurses to play a crucial role in addressing health disparities among diverse populations. Understanding cultural phenomena enables more targeted interventions and health promotion strategies that are more likely to be effective within specific cultural contexts (Molina et al., 2024).

Challenges and Considerations

While the Giger and Davidhizar model provides a valuable framework for cultural assessment, several challenges and considerations arise in its application:

Avoiding Stereotyping

Understanding cultural phenomena is crucial, but it’s equally important to avoid stereotyping or making assumptions based on a patient’s perceived cultural background. Each individual is unique, and cultural competence involves asking respectful questions and being open to learning from patients (Cox, 2022).

Continuous Learning

Cultural competence is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and self-reflection. Healthcare providers must stay updated on evolving cultural norms and practices, especially in increasingly diverse and globalized societies (El-Messoudi et al., 2023).

Intersectionality

Recognizing that individuals may belong to multiple cultural groups is essential. Various aspects of identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status) intersect to shape a person’s experiences and health beliefs (Daniels, 2022).

Institutional Support

Implementing culturally competent care requires support at the institutional level. Healthcare organizations must provide resources, training, and policies that promote cultural competence among all staff members (Pal, 2022).

Conclusion

Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing cultural phenomena in healthcare settings. Considering communication, space, social organization, time, environmental control, and biological variations enhances nurses’ cultural competence and enables more effective, patient-centered care. As healthcare continues to evolve in an increasingly diverse world, the ability to provide culturally appropriate care remains a critical skill for nursing professionals. Embracing these principles and committing to ongoing learning and self-reflection allows nurses to play a pivotal role in reducing health disparities and improving outcomes for all patients, regardless of their cultural background.

References

Cox, J. A. (2022). Nurses’ Perceptions of Culturally Competent Care at the Bedside (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).

Daniels, J. A. (2022). Experiences of BSN Graduates Integrating Cultural Competence when Caring for Multicultural Patients (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).

El-Messoudi, Y., Lillo-Crespo, M., & Leyva-Moral, J. (2023). Exploring the education in cultural competence and transcultural care in Spanish for nurses and future nurses: a scoping review and gap analysis. BMC nursing, 22(1), 320.

Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. E. (2021). Transcultural nursing: Assessment and intervention. Mosby.

Lasmaida, S. A., & Dedi, B. (2024). Literature Review Teori Transcultural Nursing Madeleine Leininger. Journal of Social Research, 3(2), 668-681.

Molina, M., Brown, L. R., Miranda, E., Montoya, E., Villarreal, E., & Caldwell-Serges, L. (2024). Culturally Competent Healthcare and its Impact on Education and Policy Reformation.

Mora, R., & Maze, M. (2024). The role of cultural competency training to address health disparities in surgical settings. British Medical Bulletin, 150(1), 42-59.

Okolo, C. A., Ijeh, S., Arowoogun, J. O., Adeniyi, A. O., & Omotayo, O. (2024). HEALTHCARE MANAGERS’ROLE IN ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES: A REVIEW OF STRATEGIES. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(4), 518-531.

Pal, D. (2022). Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Own Transcultural Capability at Delhi’s government Hospitals. International Journal Of Health Care And Nursing, 1(1), 13-24.

TOLLE, E. (2024). KEY TERMS Biocultural ecology Conscious competence Conscious incompetence Cultural assessment. Delivering Culturally Competent Nursing Care: Working with Diverse and Vulnerable Populations, 23.

陶冶. (2022). Identifying the cultural competence for disaster nursing in China.

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Tags: Cultural competence, Giger and Davidhizar model, patient-centered care, transcultural nursing