Cultural context of nursing in the field of outpatient healthcare in Serbia

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. Modern world map characterizes existence of pluralistic and multicultural societies formed as a result of increased citizens’ mobility and globalization process. Cultural diversity realizes its implications in all the aspects of social functioning and in significant share through the system of healthcare. Accepting the concept of illness as a social construct, intercultural attitudes become leading principle of education and practice of healthcare workers at every level. By the nature of their profession, nurses in the primary healthcare institutions acquire key role in the process of implementation of inter-cultural principles in clinical practice, with the aim for the healthcare system to become more open and more sensitive to specific social occurrences and culturally driven healthcare need of its users. Aim. The expected contribution of the work is oriented towards the possibility of theoretical and practical foundation of multidimensional and multi-perspective approach to healthcare. Discussion. The discourse of the cultural context of nursing in the field of outpatient healthcare in Serbia is based on the axiomatic assumption that illness is a social construct and that sociological and anthropological perspective can change the clinical practice. The work comprises basic cultural factors as a dynamic factor of health and illness, principles, elements and significance of cultural assessment of the patient in nursing practice; presents the differences in patient’s position within the Parsons concept and contemporary concept of post-modern approach to the patient. Cultural concept of nursing in Serbia has been analyzed through the prism of “5D Cultural model” by Dr. Geert Hofsted with presentation and interpretation of its basic dimensions. Conclusions. Healthcare system in Serbia is facing challenges of reforms – the introduction of socio-cultural aspect in creating of primary healthcare policy in the spirit of modern multicultural social tendencies. Aiming to provide quality healthcare it is necessary to understand how a society acknowledges the terms of health and illness and which cultural aspects lies in the base of individual’s behavior. If one healthcare is not founded upon cultural values then it is impossible to achieve its therapeutic goal, it will be incomplete and unsuccessful. The treatment plan and patient’s care must be individual, holistic and culturally appropriate.