Culturally sensitive nursing care: how to understand and meet all patients’ needs

Cultural or religious background are important determinants of patients’ experience of care, so it is important nurses appreciate the factors that shape individuals’ and families’ needs and expectations

What is culturally appropriate care?

Culturally appropriate care is the provision of care that recognises a person’s identity, in terms of the groups they feel they belong, says Mark Johnson, emeritus professor of diversity in health and social care at the Mary Seacole Research Centre , De Montfort University in Leicester.

This may be defined in terms such as the individual’s ethnic identity, religion or faith, migrant origins or ancestry, their diet, language and other aspects of culture that are important to them.

‘For example, a Muslim may