Multicultural issues and ethical concerns in the delivery of nursing care interventions

Nurses are beginning to recognize the importance of understanding the values, beliefs, and health practices of different cultures in order to provide care that is appropriate and culturally relevant to diverse patient populations. Individuals from other cultures may have different languages and customs. These cultural factors are important to the nurse's understanding of the specifics of health care practice. Culture and ethnicity may influence one's physical development and exposure to health compromising environments and conditions. This article uses a case study to describe a process that health care providers can use when faced with ethical dilemmas that arise when caring for patients from different cultures. Nursing strategies to promote culturally sensitive care are discussed, and include cultural assessment, heightening sensitivity to ethical issues in cultural diversity, and the role of continuing education in providing culturally competent care.