Transcultural care principles, human rights, and ethical considerations

During the past three decades, the author has developed and used some general principles to guide transcultural instruction, practice and research. These principles were developed from my transcultural care theory, research studies and direct clinical experiences, consultation and general writings on the subject [Leininger 1967, 1970, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984a, 1984b, 1988, 1989, 1990]. The principles include some assumptive premises with regard to universal and diverse considerations of human beings with the importance to know and respect the cultural rights of people in order to provide meaningful, satisfying and appropriate culture care to people. Through the years, a number of nursing students, faculty, and clinicians have used these principles, rights and ethical considerations to guide them in their thinking and to protect client's human and ethical rights. Since many nurses frequently request copies of these statements for teaching, consultation and clinical work, they are published below with this intent in mind.