Book Reviews 2006

Transcultural Communication in Nursing, Second Edition

By Cora Munez, PhD, RN and Joan Luckmann, MA, RN

Communicating effectively with patients from diverse cultures involves much more than just being able to speak a non-English-speaking patient’s language or providing interpreter services. It also means learning to assess and understand patients’ cultural values and beliefs, establishing therapeutic relationships based on empathy and respect, and using these resources to develop culturally appropriate diagnoses and care plans. Above all, it requires health care professionals to recognize their own possible biases and become more sensitive to cultural differences. All this and much more is explored in depth in this revised and expanded new edition of Transcultural Communication in Nursing.

Designed for use as both a classroom text and a reference guide for practicing nurses, the book takes readers step-by-step through the process of developing effective transcultural communication skills–including observational, listening, verbal and nonverbal skills–and using them in many different types of nursing scenarios. The process begins with an assessment of the reader’s own cultural values and biases and how these beliefs may influence his or her current interactions with patients and families from diverse cultural groups.

Subsequent chapters guide readers through such essentials as identifying and overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers to communication, assessing and evaluating patients’ culturally influenced needs, avoiding bias, developing culturally appropriate care plans and communicating them successfully to patients, working with and without medical interpreters and helping patients and families from other cultures cope with pain, dying, death and grief.

This updated edition includes a brand new chapter that discusses the federal Office of Minority Health’s national standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)–which were still being developed when the first edition was published in 1999–and the role the CLAS standards can play in enhancing transcultural communication.

Written in clear, nonacademic language, the book is filled with “real world” examples, step-by-step guidelines, checklists, sample documents, practical techniques and extensive resource lists. Interactive features designed to stimulate involvement in the learning process include self-assessment and self-evaluation exercises at the beginning and end of each unit and a Transcultural Interaction Diary where nurses can record and analyze insights gained from their own day-to-day transcultural encounters.

To order the book: Transcultural Communication in Nursing, Second Edition, can be ordered directly from the publisher at www.delmarlearning.com, (800) 347-7707. Or write to: Thomson Learning, Attn: Order Fulfillment, P.O. Box 6904, Florence, KY 41022.
 

[ads:education]
Ad