A literary approach to teaching cultural competence
Author(s):
Clark, Lauren; Zuk, Jeannie; Baramee, Julaluk
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Journal Of Transcultural Nursing, Volume 11, Issue 3 (2000-07). pp. 199-203.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Cultural competence is a necessity in today's diverse society and an essential component of clinical practice. As an adjunct to other sources, literature can enrich teaching and sensitizing students to cultural issues in health care. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down is a beautifully written and compelling story well suited for instructional purposes. Although widely recommended, nurses are largely ignored in this story of a Hmong family seeking medical care. The book describes how the health care system failed to provide adequate care to patients from a different cultural background despite providers' good intentions. Nurse educators can use structured discussion guides to synthesize literary accounts such as The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down with theory and research about cultural competence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)