Being a Health Professional

I go to Kirkwood in Monticello every afternoon for the Health Science Academy. Recently we discussed how important it is, as a health professional, to appreciate different cultures. Many, many different people visit hospitals and need care. America is a diverse country. Latin Americans, Mexicans, Indians, and more live here. Sometimes when they come into hospitals only one of them knows how to speak English, and even then they don't know exactly what you're saying. Health professionals really have to be careful when using medical terms as well, because people that are unfamiliar with English won't understand. Also, in certain cultures, you're only allowed to talk to the father of the family or something, and if you're unaware of what they believe in you may make them feel uncomfortable.

When discussing medical problems with someone who isn't well known to English, they may just nod their heads and say yes as you go along. Even if they really don't completely understand what you're explaining to them. That's why, as a health professional, you need to fully explain what you're saying, and ask them questions so you know they understand as well. Also, another thing that really helps is making them restate what you said to them, or tell you what they hear.

When I was in the new doctors office the other day in Manchester, I was checking out and a nurse walked in with a Mexican family. There was a mom and four little kids. She was explaining to them that they had to check in here (and she pointed) and then told them to wait in the chairs and their nurse would be out for them. As the health professional was talking to them the mom just stared at her and nodded her head and said yes. The oldest of the kids, a girl, said yes as well. As I saw this going on I knew they didn't fully understand, and I was thinking in my head, "okay nurse, ask her what she needs to do", but the nurse didn't, she just smiled and walked out the doors. She didn't wait to make sure the family went to the front desk or anything. That was a poor move on the health professionals part, at least this wasn't a serious thing, because sometimes not understanding what you need to do to take care of yourself can injure you severely. When I was done and leaving I noticed the family sat in the chairs and never approached the deck, I wish I could have helped them. I began wondering if they were taken care of, or if the next nurse who helped them really helped them and made sure they understood what they needed to. I know when I become a health professional, I'm going to respect different cultures and always make sure my patient knows and understands what I'm telling them.