BUSDr.

5211
Manisha
– Managing
Srivastava
in the Global Economy

University of the People

April 19, 2023

Introduction
In today's globalized world, diversity has become integral to societies, and people from

different cultures live and work together. Healthcare organizations are not exempt from this

reality, and healthcare providers must have cultural intelligence to provide the best possible

care to patients with different cultural backgrounds. In this scenario, Anna, a nurse, is facing

cultural challenges while giving care to Abdul Hadi, a Muslim patient recovering from

surgery. This paper discusses the situation of cultural intelligence in terms of national,

regional, and individual values. It also proposes strategies to resolve the five issues

mentioned and ways for the hospital to increase its cultural strategic thinking to ensure

patients are addressed with care and compassion regardless of their culture and beliefs.

Cultural Intelligence and Values

Cultural intelligence, or cultural quotient (CQ), refers to an individual's ability to understand,

adapt, and effectively function in diverse cultural settings. The cultural intelligence theory

proposes that individuals can develop cultural intelligence through learning, experience, and

exposure to various cultures.The theory of cultural intelligence was first introduced by Earley

and Ang in 2003. According to their model, cultural intelligence consists of four dimensions:

cognitive, physical, emotional, and behavioral.

The cognitive dimension refers to an individual's knowledge and understanding of different

cultures, including cultural norms, values, beliefs, and practices. Physical size refers to an

individual's ability to adapt to physical differences, such as food, dress, and customs. The

emotional dimension refers to an individual's ability to manage emotions in culturally diverse

situations, such as respecting different opinions and beliefs. Finally, behavioral size refers to

an individual's ability to adjust their behavior to fit the cultural context, such as adapting

communication style or decision-making process.

In the case of Anna and Abdul Hadi, the situation involves cultural intelligence in terms of

national, regional, and individual values. A particular nation shares national values, while

regional values refer to values shared by people from a specific region. Personal values are

unique to each person and are influenced by various factors, such as family, education, and
life experiences. In the case of Abdul Hadi, his cultural values are rooted in his religious

beliefs, which influence his behavior and needs.

As a Muslim living in Germany, Abdul Hadi is a minority, and his cultural needs may not be

fully understood or accommodated by healthcare providers unfamiliar with his culture.

Strategies to resolve the five behavioral issues

(a) issue of showering and cleansing, the hospital can consider hiring a male nurse who can

assist Abdul Hadi with his personal care needs. In the absence of a male nurse, the hospital

can also consider hiring a male caregiver or introduce the help of a family member who can

assist with bathing.

(b) To ensure that Abdul Hadi's medications do not contain pork products or alcohol, the

hospital can consult with a pharmacist or nutritionist familiar with Islamic dietary laws. The

hospital can also provide a list of approved medications to healthcare providers and staff

involved in Abdul Hadi's care.

(c) To address Abdul Hadi's dietary needs, the hospital can provide halal food options or

work with a nutritionist to create a meal plan that meets his nutritional requirements and is

consistent with his religious beliefs.

(d) The noise and activity in Abdul Hadi's room, the hospital can move him to a private room

or provide earplugs to other patients who share the space. The hospital can also inform

visitors of the need to maintain a quiet and respectful environment in the hospital.

(e) To ensure that Abdul Hadi has the space and assistance he needs to pray, the hospital can

provide a prayer mat and a designated area for him to pray. The hospital can also assign a

nurse or caregiver responsible for assisting Abdul Hadi with getting out of bed and preparing

for prayer.

To increase its cultural strategic thinking, the hospital can implement the following

strategies:
 (a) Provide cultural competence training to healthcare providers and staff, which can help

them to understand and respond to the cultural needs of patients from diverse backgrounds

(Betancourt et al., 2016).

(b) Develop policies and procedures that promote cultural sensitivity and ensure that the

cultural needs of patients are respected and accommodated (Crawford et al., 2020).

(c) Conduct patient satisfaction surveys to gather feedback from patients from diverse

cultural backgrounds and use this information to improve the quality of care provided.

(d) Establish partnerships with community organizations and cultural groups to enable

healthcare services are accessible and culturally appropriate for patients from diverse

backgrounds (Betancourt et al., 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Abdul Hadi's situation highlights the importance of cultural intelligence in

healthcare delivery. By developing strategies to address his specific needs and by increasing

cultural strategic thinking, hospitals can provide more effective and compassionate care to

patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

References

Ang, S., Van Dyne, L., & Koh, C. (2007). Personality correlates of the four-factor model of

cultural intelligence. Group & Organization Management, 32(3), 290-315.

Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Ananeh-Firempong, O. (2016). Defining

cultural competence: A practical framework for addressing racial/ethnic disparities in health

and health care. Public health reports, 118(4), 293-302.

Crawford, M. J., Kaminetzky, C. P., & Martinez, W. G. (2020). Cultural competence in

healthcare: A review of the evidence. Journal of healthcare management, 65(5), 326-338.

Earley, P. C., & Ang, S. (2003). Cultural intelligence: Individual interactions across cultures.

Stanford University Press.