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Advances in Contemporary Transcultural Nursing
John Daly and Debra Jackson (eds)
ISBN: 978-0-975043-61-5 2003 vix+190 pages eContent Management P/L, Maleny QLD and Palo Alto CA
Ann Harrington
Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide SA
Contemporary Nurse, 'a Journal for the Nursing Profession' (front page), produced a special issue in October 2003 [15(3)] to capture in one volume, Advances in Contemporary Transcultural Nursing. Kanitsaki (Professor of Transcultural Nursing RMIT University, Melbourne) noted this was the first Australian-based nursing journal to carry such a special feature (p.v). To emphasise this edition and encourage dissemination of its contents, it was also produced in book form at a discounted price (ISBN 978-0-975043-61-5).
The issue opens with a dedication to Madeleine Leininger (an international nurse scholar and the founder of Transcultural nursing) written by Akram Omeri. Omeri (along with Kanitsaki, Idrus, Tham & Johnstone) were some of the early contributors to Transcultural nursing practice in Australia. This edition underscores their point that failure to practice with culture in mind, could lead to claims of 'toxic service' rather than therapeutic care. Leininger's theory of culture and care is defined here and elsewhere as care that is culturally congruent in ways that 'fit the cultural values, beliefs and practices of people' (p.181). Such an approach gives prominence to the centrality of culture in health care and attempts to move the agenda from merely following the medical model of disease, to a wider perspective. The mandate of culturally sensitive care, is to provide safe and therapeutic care that is meaningful to people from culturally diverse backgrounds (p.ii).
Editors Daly & Jackson have drawn together this collection of papers with contributions from sixteen authors in the field, across seven Asia Pacific countries. Ranging from contemporary philosophical issues, such as the impact of globalisation with its paradoxical consequences (eg, that which joins us also accentuates the divide between us) to practical aspects of caring culturally for those with cardiovascular disease and mental health. Snapshots of the culture from indigenous Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, China, Thailand, along with Ethiopian refugees in the UK are all presented, together with some challenges and recommendations to advance Transcultural nursing practice in multicultural Australia.
This issue has much to offer both nurses and other health care providers. In her paper, Omeri points out that in 2001 (ABS figures) the proportion in Australia of those born overseas is 21.9% or 4,105,444 people. Given that at some point in their lives these people will seek health care, the challenge for providers of such care to be informed of and sensitive to the other's culture, is obvious. Moreover, since 'nursing as a profession has had a long history of social advocacy' (p.169) the need for nurses to be aware of their patient's social and cultural background is evident. Publication of such an issue in both journal and book form, is timely.
The content offered within the edition is varied. Notwithstanding Daly & Jackson's comment that space 'and other considerations' (p.xiv) limited the inclusion of a number of other potential specialities, some attention to both a midwifery excerpt and the extension of the concept of 'cultural safety' might have added to the appeal of the journal. When it comes to midwifery, it is recognised that the issue was published in a nursing journal. However, most Schools of Nursing within the university sector now overtly recognise the contribution of midwifery education alongside nursing, explicitly incorporating midwifery in their title. Furthermore, away from the eastern Australian states the trend to include 'cultural safety' (in place of Transcultural nursing) is found within nursing curricula. Although this concept is addressed by Spence's article (p.224) some elaboration here would assist the reader.
Given the significance of this journal/book both in terms of content and style perhaps the reader's attention could have been drawn to the issue via a potential change in the front cover. A different colour/design to accentuate its importance would have highlighted this particular publication.
Despite these minor omissions, professionals from many disciplines (sociologist, psychologist and health care providers) will find its content resonating with their practice. 'Health care professionals do not have to be experts on diverse cultures, but do need to be cognisant of cultural differences and practice with cultural sensitivity' (Wade, Jackson & Daly p.300). This issue goes some way to accomplish that task.
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