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What does culturally responsive care mean?

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What does culturally responsive care mean?

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Australia’s nursing practice has guidelines for working with migrants and refugee patients. Culturally responsive clinical care practice is a baseline where nurses are challenged to develop a deeper connection with patients (Migration Council Australia, 2019).   Connection includes taking time to find out patient’s background with patience, sensitivity and considering possible past trauma. Keep in mind religious beliefs, and cultural health wishes. With a Ukrainian refugee patient I will apply a culturally responsive practice baseline.  I would ask about their experience before coming to Australia, showing genuine interest. If they feel comfortable enough, they may share stories. This might include trauma, violence and loss and sadness. I would ask how they are doing now, mentally and physically. It is crucial that as  a nurse I attempt to gain a culturally responsive connection with patients, so that I can help support their mental wellbeing which is just as important as their physical health. (Nursing Midwifery board of Australia, 2020).

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Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that  influence a person’s overall health (Australian Government Department of Health, 2019). Ukraine is currently experiencing war. There is a correlation between the social determinants of health and health outcomes for refugees (UNHCR, 2023). For example, because of the crisis and destruction schooling cannot happen, leading to education being disrupted. Accommodation and housing may not exist due to bombing and destruction of infostructure. In a war zone employment and income is also affected. These social determinants of health are affecting Ukrainians. Once in Australia, social determinants may lessen or disappear, however others can arise due to being placed into a hugely different culture. Things such as language barriers, unemployment, and lack of knowledge of any medical support (Refugee Health Network of Australia, n.d). I can imagine they may be feelings of fear, anxiety and shock. These social determinants of health can affect anyone new entering Australia, both migrants and refugees regardless of how they arrive

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Honoring health beliefs and cultural safe care

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Honoring health beliefs and cultural safe care

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Culturally safe care is recognising people from diverse cultures may have unique practices they believe about their health care (Migration Counsil Australia, 2019). This includes feelings about their illness or treatment choices available to them. They may decide to use traditional remedies popular elsewhere. As a culturally safe nurse I will endeavour to respect a person’s decisions.  For example in Ukraine herbal medicine is popular such as Chamomile tea used to relive anxiety, common colds and stomach aches (National Centre of complementary and Integrative Health, 2025). As a culturally competent nurse I will show an understanding of such culture practices and be open to patients using them, in this case herbs. If the patient wishes to and is safe according to the hospital policy.   I will support this in their treatment plan. By respecting these wishes the patient is likely to feel comfortable, respected, heard and safe. Taking a non-judgemental view and being aware of our own bias and thinking is important (Nursing and Midwifery board of Australia)

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Common health concerns for a Ukrainian refugee

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Common health concerns for a Ukrainian refugee

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It is not uncommon for refugees to come to Australia with psychological conditions such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, dissociation or sleep disorders due to trauma associated with their experiences such as witnessing or experiencing violence (UNHCR, 2023). In such circumstances involving a social worker or psychologist may be helpful with consent. Refugees may be affected physically with illnesses including hypertension or diabetes (Refugee health network of Australia, n.d). Treatment requires sensitivity, keeping in mind what these patients may have experienced and applying empathy is crucial by applying trauma informed care (Migration Counsil of Australia, 2019). Spending time, getting background information and using an interpreter if needed is important. The quality of my interactions will affect how much the patient will disclose what has happened in the past with their health and how well a future treatment plan can be implemented. Talking about it is beneficial for screening, prescriptions for medicine they require and connecting and referring them to support services (Refugee Health network of Australia).

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How to practice culturally responsive care. (2024, May 31st).

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Watch the first 30 seconds of the following video to gain a general understanding of what Culturally Responsive Care means

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How To Practice Culturally Responsive Care

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This is a Chamomile plant used to make the herbal medicine described in the previous post, which is popularly used by Ukrainians

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This graph shows the significant difference in Refugees and Asylum Seekers affected by Mental health problems compared to the General public

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Refugees vs general public mental health

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Australian Government Department of Health. (2019). National multicultural health strategy. https://www.health.gov.au/

Migration Council Australia. (2019). Culturally responsive practice: working with people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Health Leaders. https://cbrhl.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Culturally-responsive-clinica.pdf

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. (2020). Code of Conduct for Nurses. https://www.nursingmidwiferyborad.gov.au

Refugee Health Network of Australia. (n.d). Australian refugee health practice guide. https://refugeehealthguide.org.au/

National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2025). Chamomile: usefulness and safety. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chamomile

UNHCR. (2023). Ukraine emergency. https://www.unhcr.org/emergencies/ukraine-emergency

Wikimedia Commons. (n.d). Chamaemelum nobile. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Chamaemelum_nobile.jpg

Wellable. (2024, February). Social determinants of health infographic. https://www.wellable.co/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ResourceBlog-Graphic-18-1200x923.png

How to practice culturally responsive care. (2024, May 31st). Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PMQAOS5sBM

Unknown author. (n.d.). Person coping with anxiety or depression. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQHvU6BaVM1QjrK7U4QpPo1vi9fxImO4DAQZw

Prevalence of mental illness in refugees and asylum seekers compared to that in the general population. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362478900/figure/fig1/AS:11431281099457421@1669265928393/Prevalence-of-mental-illness-in-refugees-and-asylum-seekers-compared-to-that-in-the.png