Canadian transcultural nursing: applying the Giger and Davidhizar model

Giger and Davidhizar (1995) provide a model for assessing clients from differing cultures in order to be aware of differences and to plan appropriate strategies. This model is appropriate for use with groups of individuals regardless of culture and is particularly useful and appropriate in Canada where society is a mixture of people from different ethnic backgrounds, different political and religious persuasions, and different aspirations. This paper presents an overview of the cultural diversity among Canadians and then applies the model as an assessment tool that can be used by Canadian nurses.