Reaching clients through cross cultural education

Nurses' professional understanding of the meaning of health may not be sufficient when working with patients whose cultural background differs from the nurses'. Treating patients from diverse cultures requires an awareness of the differences and similarities in caring behaviors between cultures. Cross cultural education programs can help bridge cultural differences between caregivers and patients. Education programs may be specific to one culture or generic to multiple cultures. Nursing staff report cross cultural education improves their knowledge and understanding of patients. Cross cultural education encourages nurses to pursue a questioning attitude toward patients' behavior and to understand the meaning of behaviors.