Mrs. Maria Gonzalez is a Mexican National, age 58, who was brought to a health clinic by her adult son. She is complaining that she has had aches and pains all over her body for 2 days.

QUESTION

Case Study, Mohr

CHAPTER 6, Culture

In completing the case study, students will be addressing the following learning objective:

Describe skills essential to the implementation of culturally competent care.

1. Mrs. Maria Gonzalez is a Mexican National, age 58, who was brought to a health clinic by her adult son. She is complaining that she has had aches and pains all over her body for 2 days. Mrs. Gonzalez states that her neighbor is a witch who gave her the mal do ojo (evil eye) and cast a spell on her to cause her death. The clinic nurse takes an oral temperature and it is 101º F. The clinic nurse refers Mrs. Gonzales to the clinic physician because she believes that the client has influenza. Mrs. Gonzales is reluctant to see the doctor and states that the doctor cannot prevent her death.

(Learning Objective: 8)

a. How can the nurse provide culturally competent care to Mrs. Gonzalez and convince her to see the clinic doctor?

b. Can Mrs. Gonzalez be convinced that there is no spell cast on her to cause her death? Explain your answer.

ANSWER

Culturally Competent Care for Mrs. Gonzalez: Addressing Cultural Beliefs and Promoting Healthcare Engagement

Introduction

Culturally competent care is essential in healthcare settings to ensure that patients from diverse cultural backgrounds receive the care they need while respecting their cultural beliefs and values. This case study focuses on Mrs. Maria Gonzalez, a Mexican National, who presents with physical symptoms and attributes them to a witch’s spell. This essay will discuss how the nurse can provide culturally competent care to Mrs. Gonzalez and convince her to see the clinic doctor. It will also explore the possibility of convincing Mrs. Gonzalez that there is no spell cast on her to cause her death.

Providing Culturally Competent Care

To provide culturally competent care to Mrs. Gonzalez and convince her to see the clinic doctor, the nurse can employ the following strategies:

Establish Trust and Rapport: The nurse should build a trusting relationship with Mrs. Gonzalez by demonstrating respect, empathy, and active listening (Koppel et al., 2022). This will help create a safe space for effective communication and collaboration.

Understand and Respect Cultural Beliefs: The nurse should acknowledge and respect Mrs. Gonzalez’s belief in witchcraft and the mal do ojo. It is crucial to recognize that cultural beliefs may significantly influence a person’s perceptions of health, illness, and treatment. By demonstrating an understanding of her cultural background, the nurse can establish a foundation of trust.

Provide Education and Information: The nurse can educate Mrs. Gonzalez about the nature of influenza, its symptoms, and the importance of seeking medical treatment. It is essential to explain that her symptoms can be attributed to a physical illness rather than a witch’s spell. Using culturally sensitive language and visual aids may enhance understanding and acceptance.

Involve Family and Community: Engaging Mrs. Gonzalez’s family, particularly her adult son, can help reinforce the importance of seeking medical care. In many cultures, family members play a vital role in healthcare decision-making. By involving them, the nurse can enhance Mrs. Gonzalez’s support system and address any concerns or fears they may have.

Collaborate with Cultural Mediators: If necessary, the nurse can seek assistance from cultural mediators, such as interpreters or cultural brokers, who can help bridge the communication and cultural gap between Mrs. Gonzalez and the healthcare team. These professionals can help explain medical information in a culturally sensitive manner, facilitating mutual understanding (Suarez et al., 2021).

Convincing Mrs. Gonzalez of No Spell Cast

It is important to approach the subject of the witch’s spell with cultural sensitivity and respect for Mrs. Gonzalez’s beliefs. Convincing her that there is no spell cast on her to cause her death may be challenging, as cultural beliefs are deeply ingrained and strongly held. However, through effective communication and cultural understanding, it may be possible to gradually shift her perception. The nurse can employ the following strategies:

Active Listening and Validation: The nurse should listen attentively to Mrs. Gonzalez’s concerns and validate her feelings. Acknowledging her beliefs and fears can help build trust and foster a therapeutic relationship.

Provide Alternative Explanations: The nurse can gently introduce alternative explanations for her symptoms, such as the physiological processes involved in influenza (Eccles, 2005). Explaining the symptoms in a scientific manner can help Mrs. Gonzalez understand that they are not caused by a spell but rather by a viral infection.

Incorporate Cultural Beliefs into Treatment: The nurse can work collaboratively with Mrs. Gonzalez to integrate her cultural beliefs into her overall care plan. This might involve seeking blessings or performing rituals that provide comfort and reassurance, as long as they do not interfere with evidence-based medical treatment.

Engage Traditional Healers: With Mrs. Gonzalez’s consent, the nurse can explore the possibility of involving traditional healers or curanderos who may provide additional support and guidance within the boundaries of evidence-based care. Collaborating with these healers can help bridge the gap between cultural beliefs and modern medicine.

Conclusion

Providing culturally competent care to Mrs. Gonzalez requires understanding and respecting her cultural beliefs while promoting her engagement with healthcare. By establishing trust, providing education, involving her family and community, and collaborating with cultural mediators, the nurse can convince Mrs. Gonzalez to see the clinic doctor. Although challenging, it is possible to gradually shift her perception of the witch’s spell through active listening, alternative explanations, and incorporating cultural beliefs into treatment. By employing these strategies, healthcare professionals can promote culturally competent care and improve health outcomes for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

References

Eccles, R. (2005). Understanding the symptoms of the common cold and influenza. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 5(11), 718–725. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(05)70270-x

Koppel, P. D., De Gagne, J. C., Docherty, S. L., Smith, S. K., Prose, N. S., & Jabaley, T. (2022). Exploring Nurse and Patient Experiences of Developing Rapport During Oncology Ambulatory Care Videoconferencing Visits: Qualitative Descriptive Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(9), e39920. https://doi.org/10.2196/39920 

Suarez, N. R. E., Urtecho, M., Urtecho, M., Yeow, M., Wilson, M. T., Boehmer, K. R., & Barwise, A. (2021). The Roles of medical interpreters in intensive care unit communication: A qualitative study. Patient Education and Counseling, 104(5), 1100–1108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.10.018