Herrera, Lei Dianne A. Uinversity of the Philippines – Manila College of Nursing Batch 2016

Implications of Taking Care of a Filipino Patient Communication and language play a vital role in establishing good connection between patients and their respective health care providers such as nurses. Mejico (2004) concluded that, “it is in their own mother tongue that a person can truly express his innermost sentiments, ideas, perceptions, and attitudes.” Relating it to class discussions, most Filipino students find it easier to learn and understand if the teacher considers a balanced use of the English language and the native language in explaining the lecture; the same is true for a patient-and-nurse relationship. It will be easier for a patient to express his sentiments if he uses the language he naturally speaks. At the same time, the nurse can precisely understand the patient’s concerns if she naturally uses the same language as well. It is through effective communication that a patient can openly speak of his difficulties and physical complaints for the nurse to precisely interpret the situation and render appropriate medical action. This concept is true for the patient to comprehend the nurse’s instruction or advice in return. A clear and constant communication will only be possible if both the patient and his nurse understand and speak a common language. According to Wilson and Billones (1994), ethnic identity is an important factor in rendering health promotion and care; the knowledge of one’s cultural heritage is necessary to accurately understand and assess the unique needs of the individual particularly the sensitive needs of patients. Therefore, if the patient is a Filipino as well as the person nursing him, they contain one pattern of innate ethnic identity running in their blood. Thus, there is awareness of one’s grounds of behavior as