Polish American Culture In Nursing

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Title: Italian Culture and Nursing 1.1 Predominant health-seeking beliefs and behaviors The elderly Polish-Americans significantly value stoicism and are skeptical about healthcare services. They seek healthcare services mainly when symptoms persist and interfere with their body functioning. Many aged above 45 do not discuss their medical condition and treatment with their healthcare providers, and hence they accept the prescribed treatment due to fear of becoming dependent. In addition, elderly Polish-Americans avoid healthcare services if they believe they’ll not be in position to pay the medical bill, and only do so when their health condition becomes health threatening (Purnell et al, 2003). Furthermore, they fall short of…show more content…
In addition, Polish clients require health-care providers and physicians who understand Polish family values. Health-care providers should therefore consider that Poles often filter information through the extended family and neighborhood before accepting appropriate health-care action. Health-care providers may possibly require to employ primary care or case management and help obtain a cultural mediator from the Polish-American community to help decrease the number of barriers to health care for newer immigrants (Giger et al, 2004). If an interpreter is required, the Polish community can help provide someone through an unofficial network. Poles are polite to authority figures and may not want to insult a health-care provider by not complying. In addition, many Poles are concerned more with how a disease affects daily functioning rather than its survival rates (Purnell et al,…show more content…
Poles typically follow medical orders carefully. According to Purnell et al, Poles may switch providers if they believe they are not getting better health-care. Infact, highly educated poles are more willing than are Poles with less education to follow medical orders and continue with prescribed treatment. Less educated Poles tend to switch physicians if their medical condition does not improve first enough. Another study reveals that the more medical knowledge Poles have, the less confidence they exhibit in their physician. Poles respect physicians, but they want to understand the purpose of the medical treatment (Giger et al, 2004). In Purnell et al’s study of elderly Poles, the compassionate nurse was described as one who knew the patient’s feeling without being told by the patient, had a calm tender approach, was proficient with treatments, provided timely medication, looked clean and neat, and enjoyed the work of nursing. References Giger, F. N., & Davidhizar, R. E. (2004). Transcultural nursing assessment & intervention (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. REF. RT 86.54 .T73 2004. Purnell, L. D. & Paulanka, B. J. (Eds). (2003). Transcultural health care: A culturally competent approach (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis. REF. RA 418.5 .T73 T73

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