Cultural, ethnic, racial, and religious factors: implications for ophthalmic nursing practice and research

In her book, 9226 Kercheval: The storefront that did not burn, Milio (1970) states ... the one who would change others must himself be changed (p.xi). Thus if ophthalmic nursing practice is to have a positive impact upon patient outcomes in the twenty-first century, our nursing interventions and the empirical research that validates and legitimizes these interventions must be predicated upon factors that view the patient holistically. In particular, the integration of orthodox or traditional ophthalmic procedures with the patient's perceptions of health, cultural norms, values, religious doctrines, etc. If compromises between the nurse and the patient are not negotiated, nursing services will be avoided and nursing interventions such as patient education will be ignored (Reinhardt & Quinn, 1977). Sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial and religious factors will enhance ophthalmic nursing practice by helping to unravel such issues as patient compliance, differential responses to pain (Davitz, Sameshima, & Davitz, 1976; 1972; Zborowski, 1969; 1952), the relevance for utilizing a variety of teaching strategies for patient education, and family and community influence in the prescribed care of the patient. Having had our philosophy of health care shaped by a middle-class white, and traditionally patriarchal, value and belief paradigm (Donnelly & Sutterly, 1985), we tend to unconsciously gravitate toward ethnocentric attitudes and stereotypic behaviors when caring for patients who hold health beliefs and values different from our own. However, as we become acquainted with and learn to appreciate the norms and values of differing populations, there will be a diminution in ethnocentric attitudes and stereotypic behavior.