How do you think Barbara and her family reacted to the nurse's request?
It is easy to forget that a client might have a different culture to you. In this story, the health staff member judged a client by her own rules and by the rules of Western medical tradition.
Many Australians do not realise that they have a culture that is just as entrenched as any other culture. Are you aware of your own culture?
In the next module, Building Relationships, we'll explore cultural nuances and look at some of the ways health staff members have built trusting relationships with Australian South Sea Islanders.
Reflections – Defining cultures
Communication strategies – Defining cultures
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