Poster can be found in location 94.

TITLE:  BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN WORLDVIEWS: HONORING AND EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES

Healthcare providers are challenged today by a world full of turmoil, conflict, and dissenting opinions. Differences in worldviews affect the care we are able to give our patients. It has become a world of “us versus them.” Financial, social, physical and environmental resources are limited. Systemic social inequities and disparities, racism, and bias are present and the associated consequences are progressing at an accelerated rate. Anxiety, fear, anger, and grief create difficult situations, and the underserved and marginalized populations are at most risk. Challenges abound as we try to find common ground with each other and those whom we serve. All of these factors negatively affect our ability to provide optimal patient-centered care.

Before we are able to accept and honor other cultural and world-views we must first be able to connect with who we are; what we value, feel and believe, as these influence the words we use, actions we take, and how we practice as healthcare providers. Next, we must take steps to better understand the worldviews of those we serve. This requires seeing the world through their eyes. Only through this understanding can we then provide individualized, person-centered care that incorporates values, culture, attitudes and beliefs that may differ from our own.

Stepping into others’ worldviews using a practice-based conceptual framework allows us to better understand the people we serve. This “Model’ in turn provides the foundation that is fundamental to creating plans of care that are efficient, effective, and support peoples’ needs, values, and cultural belief system. After creating a Model of their worldview, we can then use the art and science of nursing, Role-Modeling which means that we bring all the roles the person plays in their life, e.g. they are a mother, daughter, nurse, artist, etc., together so they can achieve the greatest state of health, wellness, and wellbeing and have the maximum quality of life. Through this process, healthcare providers can take the first step towards building bridges, breaking down barriers, and creating a space where our diversity and differences are honored; and used to create greater health and wellbeing at a global level. 

Finally, the Six Aims of Nursing Interactions© are offered to provide nurses with guidance and a framework that will always facilitate and support Person-Centered Care, in which each person l is honored respected, and cared for as a unique individual.