Culturally Competent Care For African Americans
African Americans suffer many medical conditions, which raises concerns about their health and economic outcomes. African Americans have less likelihood of being insured and have less access to affordable healthcare. Due to a lack of access to healthcare and low income within this group, they tend to live sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits. They are at a greater risk for hypertension, stroke, and heart disease.
Continuous education, healthcare screenings, and nutritional counseling are needed for this group of people to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Many African Americans make meals that include frying, grilling, and incorporating sauces and gravy. Before delivering care to a culturally proficient group, it is necessary to assess my role in cultural inspirations within my own life by getting well-informed about the cultural elements that influence nursing care (Kennedy & Jenkins, 2018). For instance, the African American culture, family, unity, and cooperation are essential factors in their culture. African Americans are highly religious and still use folk healings, root doctors, herb doctors, and conjurers.
When providing care to African American people, it is imperative to know that many African Americans still use these healing practices and home remedies to treat their illnesses. When working with any culturally competent patient, it is crucial to first establish rapport with the patient. Ensure the patient’s understanding of his or her health condition and assess their knowledge of the disease process and listen to their concerns by using therapeutic communication techniques, which will help improve communication and provide a trusting relationship (Kennedy & Jenkins, 2018).
Health professionals must learn how to offer services in a culturally competent manner to increase the healthcare system’s overall cultural competence. This process entails learning about different cultures and integrating various factors, such as race, language, socioeconomic status, and religious and cultural beliefs, which make up the African American culture (Ritter & Graham, 2016). Important skills to incorporate in delivering high-quality care includes effective communication and detailed medical history techniques. Moreover, attributes such as respect, humility, and empathy help collect useful information while building an excellent clinical relationship with patients (Ritter & Graham, 2016). Healthcare providers receive training to focus on better inquiry, reflection, and investigation during the care process and maintain a good relationship with the patients.
In conclusion, when caring for African Americans, it is best to build a trusting relationship and ensure them that you want to be involved in their care while respecting their desires and beliefs in herbal healing, faith healing, and spiritual healing techniques. A culturally competent medical professional will dedicate time to building relationships while expressing sincerity. Providing patient-centered care requires time to establish a trust to offer careful consideration and teaching to communities that usually have limited healthcare access.
References
Kennedy, B., & Jenkins, C. (2018). African American Women and Depression: Promoting the Need for Culturally Competent Treatment. BRK Global Healthcare Journal, 3(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.35455/brk123456.
Ritter, L. A., & Graham, D. H. (2016). Multicultural Health (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, 324 pp., ISBN 978-1-2840-2102-8.
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Question 
Based on the readings, viewing on Module 5: Lecture Materials & Resources page, and your own experience,
Culturally Competent Care For African Americans
what strategies would you recommend to encourage culturally competent care of African Americans?