ANTHROPOLOGY IN NURSING 1

Anthropology in Nursing

Amber Adamczyk

131 Cultural Anthropology

Michaela Holdridge

July 3, 2018
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Anthropology in Nursing

Anthropology is the study of humankind both past and present. It entails human nature,

origins, and cultural and social development. Anthropology is involved in many different career

types in an effort to improve and adapt to the ever-changing human environment. Changes in

health is something that every human on Earth experiences, thus there is a worldwide need for

adequate healthcare. Not only are modern medical tools and medicine needed to treat patients,

competent and diverse healthcare workers are essential as well. Nursing is one such medical

career that depends on applied anthropology to serve its diverse patient population in a way that

treats the patient as a whole, both physically and mentally.

Applied Anthropology

Anthropologist Kyle Jones describes applied anthropology as the process of translating

what you’ve learned into other domains of practice, often towards a solution to a problem.

(Peake, 2017, p. 11). In other words, applied anthropology attempts to use knowledge gained

through research to resolve problems. Applied anthropology developed during British and

American Colonialism in the late nineteenth century. The main purpose was to learn how

indigenous groups lived in order to govern them effectively. (Borofsky, 2017). Over time,

colonialism faded and a more noble cause for applied anthropology began to take hold. In 1941

the Society for Applied Anthropology was established to promote the investigation of the

principles of human behavior and the application of these principles to contemporary issues and

problems. The Society’s aim is to make an impact on the quality of life in the world. (Borofsky,

2017). Issues such as hunger and health epidemics came into perspective as many were affected

worldwide. Today, applied anthropology can be seen and used in various aspects of life. The

healthcare field, for example, often combines traditional medicinal techniques with modern
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advanced medicine thanks to anthropology. Without the knowledge of how other cultures view

healthcare and the types of medicine used, we would not have access to the vast array of foreign

plants that are used to make natural remedies that are used today. Furthermore, applied

anthropology has allowed medical professionals to care for members of different cultures in a

way that respects their way of life while also maintaining excellent and competent care. Nursing

is one such medical profession that requires anthropology to treat diverse populations.

Anthropology in Nursing

Nursing encompasses autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages,

families, groups, and communities, sick or well and in all settings and focuses on the physical,

emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of each patient. (Taylor, Lillis, Lynn, 2015).

Anthropology in nursing ensures that patient and staff alike are able to work together towards a

common goal despite the difference amongst each person. In the healthcare setting, nurses

usually spend the most time with each patient, gathering important information by asking

questions and making visual and physical assessments. In a way, the nurse is studying the patient

much like an anthropologist conducting a field study on a particular culture. A nurse may meet

someone of a different culture, creating a culture encounter. A culture encounter refers to

situations in which a person from one culture meets or interacts with a person from another

culture. (Buscemi, 2011). It is important for a nurse to understand that each patient is different

and may have different cultural beliefs that dictate how they view health and medicine. These

differences may affect how the nurse cares for the patient and may require research and

additional questions to be asked in order to understand patient preference and why such

preferences are necessary. Understanding why a practice occurs is not merely an act of inquiry; it

is also a means of demonstrating respect for people and their knowledge and taking time to
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listen, learn, and see. (Cochrane, 2017). By asking the patient about their preferences and

attempting to understanding their way of life establishes trust and cooperation between the

patient and the nurse. A nurse who tries to understand and treat their patient as a whole is a

competent nurse. Cultural competence is the adaptation of care in a manner that is consistent

with the culture of the patient. A culturally competent nurse develops an awareness of his or her

beliefs, morals, and thoughts without letting these factors negatively affect patient care.

(Buscemi, 2011).

Dr. Madeleine Leininger, founder of Transcultural Nursing who also received her

doctorate in Anthropology from the University of Washington, believed it was imperative that

nurses be prepared through educational programs to learn about, understand, and respect the

cultural beliefs and religious values of their patients. (Leininger, 1992). Transcultural nursing is a

substantive area of study and practice focused on comparative cultural care (caring) values,

beliefs and practices of individuals or groups of similar or different cultures. Transcultural

nursing's goal is to provide culture specific and universal nursing care practices for the health

and well-being of people or to help them face unfavorable human conditions, illness or death in

culturally meaningful ways. (Wikipedia, 2018). Leininger shared a nursing experience that

showed just how important anthropology in nursing is: An immigrant from China, Mr. C, has

just received bladder surgery and was required to drink a certain amount of water every day. The

nurse that was caring for Mr. C was becoming frustrated because he would not drink the water

she tried to give him, despite warning him that he would need to receive IV fluids if he did not

drink the water. The nurse asked Leininger for assistance and she obliged. After talking with the

patient, Leininger found that Mr. C’s culture believed in traditional Chinese medicine which

focuses on the hot-cold theory. Mr. C considered his condition and surgery to be hot, therefore
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drinking the iced water that was offered would create an imbalance in his temperature and cause

him to become ill. Leininger offered warm tea as an alternative to the water, for which Mr. C

was thankful for and drank. Mr. C also expressed gratefulness to Leininger for understanding his

culture and accommodating his care around it. (Leininger. 1992). Leininger showed that asking a

few questions and taking time to get to know the patient resolved the nursing care problem,

which is exactly was applied anthropology attempts to do, resolve problems through studying

humankind. It can then be determined that anthropology, and subsequently applied anthropology,

is a key component in developing adequate healthcare practices that meet the needs of the

growing, diverse population worldwide.

Conclusion

Anthropology is the study of all things human, such as origin, nature, culture, beliefs,

practices, and social development. Applied anthropology uses what knowledge is obtained

through anthropological means to solve issues. Applied anthropology can be used in many

aspects of life. One such aspect, nursing, is continually adapting to the growing diverse

populations around the world. Because nurses care for such a diverse population they must use

anthropological techniques to get to know each patient personally. Asking questions and

performing assessments are two ways in which a nurse can learn about his/her patient and their

preferences. Attempting to learn about each patient establishes trust between nurse and patient

and allows for better care as a result. A transcultural nurse is someone who provides cultural

specific care in a respectful and competent manner. A culturally competent nurse recognizes his

or her own beliefs and morals without letting those beliefs affect the care provided to each

patient. Through applied anthropology, a nurse studies his or her patient, learns about the

patient’s culture and beliefs, and then applies that knowledge to the care he or she will provide to
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the patient. Applied anthropology is the key to a competent nurse. Personal reflection: Though I

had not realized it before, applied anthropology is used in nursing on a daily basis. One of the

first concepts nursing students are taught is to ask the patient questions and get to know them so

that the best care possible can be given. Through my clinical rounds in nursing school, I was able

to talk with my patients and learn much about their home life and beliefs. By taking the time to

talk with my patients, I was establishing a trusting relationship and was better able to care for

them in way that respectfully met their wishes, which is the goal every nurse wishes to meet.
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Reference Page

Borofsky, R. (2017). Perspectives: An Open Invitation to Cultural Anthropology:

Public Anthropology. (Electronic Version). Retrieved from

http://perspectives.americananthro.org/Chapters/Perspectives.pdf.

Buscemi, C. (2011). Acculturation: State of The Science In Nursing. Journal of Cultural

Diversity, 18(2), 39-42. Retrieved from http://tuckerpub.com/jcd.htm.

Cochrane, L. (2017). Perspectives: An Open Invitation to Cultural Anthropology: Seeing Like

an Anthropologist: Anthropology in Practice. (Electronic version). Retrieved from

http://perspectives.americananthro.org/Chapters/Perspectives.pdf

Taylor, C., Lillis, C., & Lynn, P. (2015). Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of

person-centered nursing care (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

Wikipedia contributors. (2018, April 14). Madeleine Leininger. In Wikipedia, The Free

encyclopedia. Retrieved July 3, 2018,

from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madeleine_Leininger&oldid=836444421.
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