Introduction
In healthcare, nurses are expected to offer quality care that is founded on the principles of compassion and patient-centeredness. With a specific focus on culturally sensitive care, nursing experts can deliver the best treatment possible for each individual. When no attention is paid to the patient’s unique needs and preferences, poor health outcomes and patient satisfaction might follow. As a result, among several aspects of patient-centered care are dietary restrictions and end-of-life choices. When a nurse deals with a patient, they must remember the uniqueness of their cultures, how they perceive end-of-life decisions and dietary preferences, and not be afraid of asking the individual to share this information for better health outcomes.
Dietary Restrictions
Starting with dietary restrictions, recognizing that patients frequently consult their religious and spiritual views while making healthcare choices must be recognized by nurses. Decisions about nutrition, medications containing animal products, privacy, and the gender of choice of healthcare professionals can all be influenced by one’s religion and spirituality (Swihart et al., 2023). Strict prayer timings observed by certain religions may conflict with medical care (Swihart et al., 2023).
In either case, medical professionals should respect an individual’s religious and spiritual needs. When faced with medical difficulties, many patients find their worries lessened when they resort to their faith (Swihart et al., 2023). Healthcare providers must identify and meet their patients’ spiritual and religious requirements since many of them seek solace in their beliefs while making medical decisions (Swihart et al., 2023). Experts must allow patients to discuss their spiritual and religious beliefs and customize their assessment and care to suit their requirements. This will help them understand their food preferences and remain more tolerant.
When delving deeper into dietary restrictions, one vivid example involves lactose intolerance. Aside from religious reasons, social customs and behaviors may also dictate specific food requirements. Lactose intolerance incidence differs by ethnic group and community (Robles & Priefer, 2020). More than 50% of people in South America, Africa, and Asia are lactose intolerant (Robles & Priefer, 2020). According to reports, the incidence is 15% in White, 53% in Hispanic Americans, and 80% among Americans of African descent in the U.S. (Robles & Priefer, 2020). Therefore, a nurse must understand religious visions in cultures and natural predispositions in specific communities.
End-of-Life Decisions
Furthermore, their cultural background influences patients’ choices about pain and palliative treatment. While certain cultures promote individual liberty, others prioritize group unity (Givler et al., 2023). Similarly, some might support each patient in making their own choices, while others allow the family to make those decisions (Givler et al., 2023). While certain cultures leave the decision to an individual and sometimes a partner, others may address pain and end-of-life options as a family (Givler et al., 2023).
Because many nations are cultural melting pots, healthcare professionals must be aware of the range of factors that influence the decisions made by patients and their families. For instance, end-of-life care is typically accepted in African-American communities, provided the patient is informed about acceptable pain control techniques (Givler et al., 2023). In the meantime, discussions about death and accepting Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders may be avoided in Arab culture (Givler et al., 2023). Consequently, nurses can offer an individualized approach to the patient by grasping the idea of end-of-life options in different cultures.
Healthcare professionals must understand that a wide range of cultural values may impact how patients are treated near the end of their lives. The healthcare provider must be at ease inquiring about patients’ preferences for pain relief and end-of-life care (Givler et al., 2023). The individual and, if preferred, the patient’s close family should have the conversation (Givler et al., 2023). If there is a language problem, it is best to engage a qualified medical interpreter.
Conclusion
In summary, when a nurse interacts with a patient, they must keep in mind the distinctiveness of their cultures, how they see food preferences and end-of-life decisions, and they must not be reluctant to ask the patient for such details to improve health outcomes. Nurses must know that patients often reference their religious and spiritual beliefs when making healthcare decisions, beginning with food restrictions. One’s faith and spirituality might affect decisions about healthcare professionals’ gender preference, animal products in treatments, privacy, and diet.
Furthermore, a patient’s cultural background affects their pain and palliative care decisions. While some cultures value individual freedom, others strongly emphasize community cohesion. Healthcare practitioners should be aware that diverse cultural beliefs may influence how patients are cared for in the final stages of their lives. It is crucial that the medical professional feels comfortable asking the patient about their specific preferences for end-of-life care and pain management.
References
Givler, A., Bhatt, H., & Maani-Fogelman, P. A. (2023). The importance of cultural competence in pain and palliative care. StatPearls. Web.
Robles, L., & Priefer, R. (2020). Lactose intolerance: What your breath can tell you. Diagnostics, 10(6), 412. Web.
Swihart, D. L., Yarrarapu, S. N. S., & Martin, R. L. (2023). Cultural religious competence in clinical practice. StatPearls. Web.