The Population Of The United States - 1537 Words

As the population of the United States continues to become more diverse, healthcare providers should eï ¬â‚¬ectively communicate with each patient regardless of their culture, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. Nurses and other providers should be delivering patient centered care that is culturally competent. â€Å"Culture also includes the integrated pattern of thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions associated, wholly or partially, with racial, ethnic, or linguistic groups, as well as with religious, spiritual, biological, geographical, or sociological characteristics† (Lamb, 2014, p. 132). Nurses are caring for a culturally diverse population, so considering the role of culture, language, and†¦show more content†¦In order to stay culturally competent, nurses need to continually reframe their cultural perceptions, so a bias does not develop against a certain patient population. The homeless are frequently looked do wn upon and their need for urgent medical care is minimized. This is especially apparent when the homeless present to the Emergency Department (ED) seeking care for a medical or social issue. The homeless population is often misunderstood and stigmatized because they are more likely to seek care in the emergency room, rather than in a primary care doctor’s office. The medical staff in the emergency room may minimize the needs of the patient, discharge them prematurely, perceive their need is socially oriented or not determine what is really wrong with them. Stereotyping the homeless as being an alcoholic, chronically mentally ill, drug seeking, frequent flyers and in need of social services limits the health care services provided to the patient. By Limiting their access to care, the ED staff and providers may overlook an acute need which puts the health and safety of these patients in jeopardy. Furthermore, homeless people have social issues that supersede their need to seek care for their chronic conditions. As a result, homeless individuals will often use the emergency room for routine matters instead of going to a primary care office. Homeless individuals are three times more likely to use the ED than the non-homeless which may be a contributing factor for