Interdisciplinarity as a Strategy for Culturally Competent Health Care in the Infectious Diseases Unit

Authors

  • Rafael Rodrigues Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto. CEI – Centro de Estudos Interculturais

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34630/erei.vi3.3923

Keywords:

Interdisciplinarity, Health care, Cultural Competence, Nursing

Abstract

Interdisciplinarity is a strategyfor the quality of health care. The awareness of the differences within the homogeneous groups favors more consistent actions, as a proposal to overcome the difficulty of union between science and the complexity of health. It suggests a rethinking of the fragmentation of knowledge in health and a reflection which strengthens partnerships among the various professionals, focusing on better health care and life conditions. This article aimed to describe the interdisciplinary approach in the process of culturally and competently taking care of people with AIDS; and to understand, from the nurse’s point of view, the relationship between interdisciplinarity and the process of culturally and competently taking care. The study, carried out in reference units of Infectious Diseases in Portugal, was descriptive and exploratory. The information was collected through observation-participation in the social context and during team meetings. 18 semi-structured interviews with the nurses of that service were also carried out. All ethical precepts of the study of human beings were respected. Data was processed according to Bardin’s content of analysis (2011) and is presented as two themes: Practical implications of the interdisciplinary work and Easiness/Difficulty in interdisciplinary care. These themes showed the importance of the dialogical attitude amongst professionals-institution-user, in a context of confrontation of ideas and knowledge, essential to improve the quality of health care through cultural mastery.

Published

2021-06-16

How to Cite

Rodrigues, R. (2021). Interdisciplinarity as a Strategy for Culturally Competent Health Care in the Infectious Diseases Unit. E-Journal of Intercultural Studies, (3). https://doi.org/10.34630/erei.vi3.3923

Issue

Section

Articles