- Imagine that you are a nurse lobbyist at the legislature in your state, with a specific focus on child and teen health. The children in this state encompass a broad range of social determinants of health. You are asked to recommend state-wide health policies to improve the health of this population, along with corresponding engagement strategies to reach nurses in the state.
- What would be the first pediatric policy that you would recommend? Please provide a rationale for your selection
- How can you effectively reach nurses to encourage their action to promote the policy?
- What are one or more reasons why many nurses do not engage in lobbying efforts?
- Describe a pediatric patient and/or their family members that you have cared for who is deemed by healthcare professionals to be ‘difficult’.
- To what extent do you think that cultural factors, e.g. beliefs, values and customs common to a group, might have been implicated in this situation?
- What are one or more barriers to culturally competent care that are specific to the nurse relationship with pediatric patients?
- List at least one strategy that a nurse can employ to overcome barrier(s) to cultural competence with pediatric patients.
First Pediatric Policy Recommendation: I would recommend implementing a comprehensive school-based health program that addresses the diverse social determinants of health affecting children and teens in our state. This program would provide access to physical and mental health services, nutritional support, and health education within schools. Rationale: Many children spend a significant portion of their day at school, making it an ideal setting to deliver holistic healthcare services. By integrating health services into schools, we can ensure that children from all backgrounds have equal access to essential healthcare resources, regardless of their social determinants of health.
Engagement Strategies to Reach Nurses:
- Educational Workshops: Organize workshops and seminars to educate nurses about the benefits and impact of the proposed policy. Provide data, case studies, and real-life examples to illustrate the positive outcomes of school-based health programs.
- Collaborative Networks: Create online forums, social media groups, and networking events where nurses can share their experiences, ideas, and concerns related to child and teen health policies. Foster a sense of community and shared purpose.
- Advocacy Training: Offer training sessions to equip nurses with effective advocacy and lobbying skills. Provide them with tools to communicate their viewpoints to policymakers and the public.
Reasons for Nurse Non-Engagement in Lobbying:
- Time Constraints: Nurses often have demanding work schedules, leaving limited time for engagement in advocacy efforts.
- Lack of Awareness: Some nurses may not fully understand the importance of advocacy and the potential impact it can have on healthcare policies.
- Fear of Consequences: Nurses might worry about potential repercussions, such as workplace conflicts or negative perceptions from employers, for engaging in political activities.
Difficult Pediatric Patient Scenario: I once cared for a 14-year-old patient named Alex who had a chronic illness. Alex’s family, rooted in cultural traditions that valued home remedies over medical interventions, often resisted following the prescribed treatment plan. This resulted in inconsistent management of the illness and frequent hospital admissions.
Cultural Factors Impact: Cultural beliefs, values, and customs played a significant role in this situation. The family’s deep-seated beliefs influenced their decisions about healthcare, making it challenging to align with medical recommendations. The notion of relying on traditional remedies and skepticism toward Western medicine contributed to the difficulties in managing Alex’s condition effectively.
Barriers to Culturally Competent Care:
- Language Barriers: Communication challenges between nurses and patients/families from diverse cultural backgrounds can hinder effective care.
- Misunderstanding of Beliefs: Lack of cultural awareness might lead to misinterpreting patients’ or families’ actions, leading to potential conflict or noncompliance.
- Stereotyping: Nurses might unintentionally stereotype or make assumptions about patients based on their cultural background, which can affect care quality.
Strategy for Overcoming Cultural Competence Barriers: Nurses can employ the strategy of Cultural Humility. This involves a commitment to self-reflection, acknowledging personal biases, and a willingness to learn about and adapt to patients’ cultural perspectives. By actively seeking to understand and respect the cultural nuances of each patient and family, nurses can foster a more inclusive and effective care environment. This approach promotes a collaborative relationship where healthcare decisions are made jointly, enhancing the overall quality of care for pediatric patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.