Delivering Patient-Centered Care in the Midst of a Cultural Conflict: The Role of Cultural Competence

TLDR

Patient‑centered care requires recognizing each patient as a unique individual, and cultural competence equips nurses with the skills needed to provide effective care even when patients’ beliefs conflict with medical guidelines. The article aims to equip nurses with culturally competent skills that extend patient‑centered care into situations of cultural conflict. The authors present a conceptual framework, practical skill set, and illustrative vignette to guide nurses in formulating culturally relevant treatment plans and navigating encounters.

Abstract

At the core of both patient centeredness and cultural competence is the importance of seeing the patient as a unique person. For the purpose of this article, cultural competence is viewed as an expansion of patient-centered care. More specifically, cultural competence can be seen as a necessary set of skills for nurses to attain in order to render effective patient-centered care. However, a vexing question remains, "How does the nurse deliver patient-centered care when the patient's health beliefs, practices, and values are in direct conflict with medical and nursing guidelines?" The purpose of this article is to provide nurses with a set of culturally competent skills that will enhance the delivery of patient-centered care in the midst of a cultural conflict. I will begin by offering a conceptual framework for cultural competence and a description of the cultural skill needed to formulate a mutually acceptable and culturally relevant treatment plan for each patient. Next I will describe effective approaches for cultural encounters. Finally I will present a vignette that illustrates how the nurse can deliver patient-centered care when the patient's health beliefs, practices, and values are in direct conflict with medical and nursing guidelines.