Cultural Assessment

Cultural Assessment of a Third Generation Korean-American Using

Giger and Davidhizer’s Transcultural Assessment Model

Lauren M. Forshay

Villanova University

Abstract

With the growing number of non-American natives moving and already living in the United States, it is important for everyone to learn and respect the beliefs and values of other cultures. Culture is defined as a complex, integrated system that includes knowledge, beliefs, skills, morals, law, customs, and any other acquired habits and capabilities of a group of people (Barkauskas, Baumann, & Darling-Fisher, 2002). The knowledge of different cultures and cultural practices is especially important for those working in the health care field. When a client of a different nationality comes into a hospital or other healthcare setting, it is important for the nurse to know how to communicate, verbally and nonverbally, to the client in order to care for his or her needs as efficiently and compassionately as possible. This paper explores the cultural differences that may impact healthcare as encountered by Korean-Americans.

Cultural Assessment of a Third Generation Korean-American Using

Giger and Davidhizer’s Transcultural Assessment Model

Korean-Americans are the fastest growing subgroup of Asian Americans. In a 10-mile radius of the hospital I work in the Korean population varies from about 10% to more than 50% of the population comprising some of the surrounding towns (Holy Name Medical Center Korean Medical Program, 2013). Therefore, it is very important for healthcare providers to be able to communicate with this culture. The interviewer chose to focus this cultural assessment on a friend, a 37 year-old Korean American who will be referred to as “L”. The interviewer will focus on the six phenomena of Giger and Davidhizar’s Transcultural Assessment Model to complete the...