Health Care Communications with Diverse Ethnic Groups

Savitri, Singh Carlson

Abstract

PURPOSE
The concept of respect is rooted in the core value of human relations, and interpersonal relationships with others. The notion of respect in these relationships is entrenched in the broader context of the processes of relationships between professionals and clients in general, along with the philosophical and ethical foundations of respect. Although nursing principles and values, such as autonomy and dignity have built their foundation of care on the concept of respect, these concepts (ie. autonomy and dignity) are still different from respect. Respect within health professional-client relationships, indicates that respect is a fundamental concept within nursing, permeating a number of other concepts that provide purposeful nursing care within the process of nurse-client relationships and respect has been discussed as an ethical and moral concept of care that addresses the values of human dignity in the nursing discipline, however research examining the client's perspectives of respect as an ethical principle of care, especially within Canada's diverse population is non-existent. There is limited research from the client's perspective addressing challenges communicating the concept of respect in relationships between health professionals and clients, specifically research directed at immigrant or the vulnerable population.