Cultural Sensitivity and Ethics

Class,

When we thick about cultural competency or cultural sensitivity we have to remember to look beyond obvious interpretations to these terms and focus on their subtle meaning. Cultural sensitivity is dependent on cultural meaning. Cultural meaning of illness and disease are subjective and unique to family, community, and society. “It is not an accident that certain diseases and symptoms dominate a society’s consciousness, while others are ignored” (Tong, 2007, p.72).

In this perspective, it becomes necessary for nurses to balance the equation between cultural sensitivity and cultural meaning in the provision of healthcare. Considerations include rights of the client, rights of the client versus recommendations for medical treatment, and the rights of the client versus perceived rights of the family. Ethical principles that govern health care in these areas are nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice.

Nonmaleficence suggests that an individual should be allowed to do whether they please provided no one else is harm. This is a view that is endorsed by many Americans.

Beneficence suggests that an individual wants to be benefited; they want the best possible care.

Paternalism proposes intentional limitation of an individual’s autonomy in order to benefit another person or group.

Justice would suggest we are all treated equally and receive the same quality of care, but real life situations demonstrate otherwise, especially when medically necessary treatment or drug outstrips demand. Example of this would be limitation of vaccines during the recent pandemic of influenza.

Tong, R. (2007). New perspectives in health care ethics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.


Study the following video in addition to your assigned readings. Be ready to participate in our class discussion in two days.

Wanda