The impact of cultural values, beliefs, and practices on planning and implementing mental health care is important, particularly in the practice of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) working with the Asian American community. Understanding cultural differences is the foundation of culturally competent care. Many Asian American cultures view mental health issues with a high degree of stigma (Vaishnav et al., 2023). Mental health problems are often seen as a source of shame, reflecting poorly on the family. This stigma can discourage individuals from seeking help, fearing social repercussions or family dishonor. APNs must be aware of this cultural context and work diligently to create a trusting, non-judgmental environment that encourages patients to discuss their mental health openly (Andrews et al., 2020).
Communication barriers also significantly impact mental health care. Language differences can lead to misunderstandings and inadequate treatment. As an example, a Mandarin-speaking patient may struggle to express their symptoms accurately to an English-speaking provider. Utilizing professional interpreters can bridge these language gaps, ensuring that the patient’s concerns and symptoms are conveyed accurately and comprehensively. The planning and implementation of culturally sensitive care require a complex approach. Conducting thorough cultural assessments is important to understand the patient’s background, beliefs, and values (Vaishnav et al., 2023).
Tools like the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) in the DSM-5 can help APNs gather culturally relevant information to customize their care plans. Building trust and rapport is also important. Showing respect for cultural differences and demonstrating empathy can establish a strong therapeutic approach. Showing respect for traditional healing practices and incorporating them into the care plan, when appropriate, can build trust and improve outcomes. Family involvement is another important aspect. Many Asian American cultures place a strong emphasis on family involvement in health care decisions. Involving family members in treatment planning can enhance support and adherence to treatment. Involving the family in discussions about the patient’s treatment can help ensure that the patient feels supported and understood, which can improve engagement with the treatment plan (Vaishnav et al., 2023). Education and training for APNs in cultural competence are very important for staying informed about different cultural practices and their impact on health care. Ongoing education, such as workshops and courses on cultural competence, can help APNs effectively interact with patients from diverse backgrounds. Using professional interpreters to bridge language gaps ensures accurate communication, which is crucial for effective treatment planning and implementation (Andrews et al., 2020).
References
Andrews, M., Boyle, J., & Collins, J.W. (2020). Transcultural concepts in nursing care
(8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Vaishnav, M., Javed, A., Gupta, S., Kumar, V., Vaishnav, P., Kumar, A., … & Ashurov, Z. (2023). Stigma towards mental illness in Asian nations and low-and-middle-income countries, and comparison with high-income countries: A literature review and practice implications. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 65(10), 995-1011. https://journals.lww.com/indianjpsychiatry/fulltext/2023/65100/stigma_towards_mental_illness_in_asian_nations_and.2.aspx
