Abstract
Both patients and healthcare providers benefit from culturally competent care. The individuals requiring care feel welcomed and understood, while nurses and doctors are able to build trustful and genuine relationships in which honesty is the core of communication. Depending on the heritage and environment in which the patient grew up, a different approach is required.
To form a connection with patients of Japanese descent, medical workers are to understand aspects correlating with the country’s culture, religion, views, and traditions. Understanding personality traits, communication patterns, and family dynamics is similarly important. By incorporating such considerations, the nurse can minimize risks linked to a lack of trust between the patients and the nurse and instances that can be deemed disrespectful.
Similarly, a sensitive care provision can negate feelings of a lack of inclusivity as well as misunderstandings and errors. Incorporating the understanding of the Japanese culture into care provision implies religious inclusivity, adherence to traditional medicine either directly or indirectly, and awareness of personality traits. Simultaneously, the nurse is to acknowledge that one’s cultural background does not shape every aspect of treatment and interactions. Hence, competence is to be implemented alongside patient-centered approaches to ensure each individual is respected and viewed as an individual with personal feelings, perceptions, and thoughts.
Introduction
Cultural competency is one of the aspects of patient-centered care. Each individual requires a different approach depending on personality, wishes, and desires. Additionally, the nurse is to acknowledge the patient’s background to ensure that the care provision aligns with the worldview and perceptions of the individual requiring assistance.
From a professional standpoint, considering one’s heritage allows for better communication and interpersonal relationships with patients. Philosophically, it correlates with the value of beneficence and autonomy, which are the pillars of nursing. Japanese culture is rich in traditions and customers, which is why medical providers can form deeper bonds with individuals with such backgrounds if specific contexts are implemented in care provision. The current paper exemplifies the need for understanding healthcare attitudes, traditional treatments, stoicism in pain management and grief, and the Buddhist philosophy when it comes to life and health.
Japanese Culture: Health Attitudes and Beliefs
As highlighted previously, the Japanese culture has multiple traits that distinguish it from other ones. The attitudes towards healthcare are typically positive when patient-centered care is at the core of the relationship with the medical provider. The Japanese context does not imply that every individual is different when it comes to the approach appropriate to be implemented. Instead, the background generates an additional layer of understanding of the patient from the overview of his heritage, religion, country, and family. At the same time, there is a stigma attached to certain conditions, especially those correlating with hindered mental health (Kotera et al., 2023). Hence, communicating about such diagnoses is to be exemplified in private and via an understanding yet direct manner.
Japanese people can be more private and seek non-disclosure of specific conditions or disorders to family members, and such beliefs are to be respected by the nurse. In this case, the wishes of the person receiving care come first, which is no different from providing care for any other person according to patient-centered care principles. Establishing an environment based on trust and respect is key. Such outcomes may be more difficult to achieve due to the Japanese stoicism.
Nonetheless, a positive disposition and a welcoming style of communication can hinder all possible barriers. A similar consideration is to be implemented when it comes to personal space and affection or compliments. It is also essential to go in-depth when discussing treatments and preventative measures, as Japanese culture is more prone to holistic approaches to health and well-being.
Traditional Medicine, Stoicism, and Buddhism
It is important to incorporate or accept certain aspects of traditional medicine that may be requested or applied by Japanese patients. For example, herbal medicines can be employed to address specific conditions (Arai, 2021). In this case, the health provider is to be accommodating and inclusive when it comes to such desires. A unique consideration is also important when it comes to pain management and grief. Japanese individuals can be resistant to reporting symptoms such as pain or discomfort due to their values and traditions. As a nurse, it is important to build a close relationship with the patient to make them comfortable enough to share such feelings.
Religious inclusivity is also critical as it provides people with a purpose and a sense of understanding the meaning of life and pain. This is why Buddhist practices are to be accepted and encouraged in some instances, especially when it comes to grief and end-of-life care (Triplett, 2019). This generates relaxation and feelings of being accepted and included. Patients who feel comfortable enough expressing a religious belief despite being a spiritual minority in the environment in which they operate feel accepted. The outcome of such approaches includes a stronger bond between the person receiving care and the one providing it. Hence, communication becomes more transparent, and patient satisfaction considerably increases.
Family and Hierarchies
Families play an essential role in care provision regardless of one’s cultural context. However, Japanese customs imply a particular focus on the dynamic of family members and the hierarchy that is to be respected by the care provider. For example, when working with an older patient, it is important to communicate with exceptional respect (Wang, 2022).
Additionally, in case the patient is visited by several family members, the nurse can benefit from prioritizing the older individuals in the room when it comes to explaining diagnoses or treatments. Japanese culture as a whole places particular importance on family, which is why it is vital to maintain good communication with visitors. Needless to say, interrupting patients, especially older ones, can be considered disrespectful and can hinder the relationship with them.
Conclusion
The context of care provision is critical to implement in practice, which is why culturally appropriate approaches when it comes to patients are important. Patients with a Japanese background can require additional contemplation of communication, treatments, and family visitations. For example, the stoicism and distance that is often applied in relationships with others can be addressed through respectful and welcoming tones during interactions. The main Japanese religion, as well as the importance of traditional medicine, are to be encouraged and, if possible, implemented. It is also critical to understand the importance of family ties and hierarchies. As a nurse, speaking to the oldest person in the room as a priority can generate a sense of belonging as the patient and loved ones will perceive the hospital environment as genuine.
References
Arai, I. (2021). Clinical studies of traditional Japanese herbal medicines (Kampo): Need for evidence by the modern scientific methodology. Integrative Medicine Research, 10(3). Web.
Kotera, Y., Asano, K., Jones, J., Colman, R., Taylor, E., Aledeh, M., Barnes, K., Golbourn, L.-M., & Kishimoto, K. (2023). The development of the Japanese version of the full and short form of attitudes towards mental health problems scale (j-(s) ATMHPS). Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 1–13. Web.
Triplett, K. (2019). Buddhism and medicine in Japan: A topical survey (500-1600 CE) of a complex relationship. De Gruyter.
Wang, Z. (2022). Discursive construction of hierarchy in Japanese society: An ethnographic study of secondary… school clubs. De Gruyter Mouton.