Cultural humility is a humble and respectful attitude towards individuals of other cultures that pushes one to challenge one's own cultural biases. Kelsall-Knight (2022) defines cultural humility as a process in which nurses develop an awareness of an individual patient's culture and its potential impact on behaviours relating to health.
Within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code (2018), it is mandated that we prioritise people. This includes caring for patients from a myriad of backgrounds, so it is essential that we all possess cultural humility and have an awareness of patients' needs when caring for those from a variety of different cultures who are living with a stoma.
At a recent study day, while listening to a session on ‘Cultural aspects in stoma care’ I was advised to ‘be nosy’ and enquire about my patients' cultures and beliefs, because the more we learn the more we are able to provide individualised, comprehensive and holistic care for all our patients.
This year the Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK (ASCN UK) has collaborated with the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists® (WCET®) to bring a joint congress entitled ‘Weaving culture and expertise to offer the best patient care’. It will take place in Glasgow between 28 September and 1 October 2024.
Having almost 50 countries represented at this year's congress provides us all with the ideal opportunity to enhance our knowledge of how stoma care can be delivered differently, perhaps learn alternative ways to meet a challenge that we see in our practice and to explore how culture is addressed in the multitude of countries in attendance.
When I think about huge numbers of countries attending an event, my thoughts are drawn to this year's Olympic Games in Paris, which I have avidly followed. There were 204 countries represented, all competing to secure the coveted prize of an Olympic medal. Participation in any Olympic Games is, I'm sure, an amazing experience. You can see so much camaraderie and support between athletes from different countries, as well as strong competitiveness. One can see the joy and elation on the faces of those sharing the winners' podium, and I'm sure that, for the recipients of a gold medal, hearing your country's national anthem is a moment to treasure.
‘Sharing experiences with nurses residing in other countries is such a rewarding experience. It enriches nursing practice’
Sharing experiences with nurses residing in other countries is such a rewarding experience. It enriches nursing practice, providing nurses with greater awareness of the needs of their patients.
The WCET® and ASCN UK 2024 Joint Congress will give you the opportunity to connect with some of the most influential professionals advancing practice in stoma, wound and continence care. It will provide opportunities to gain a greater awareness of what is happening within your chosen specialty in other areas of the world, providing you with the opportunity to network with international colleagues, sharing experiences and variations in nursing practice.
The conference will host an array of informative, educational and interesting sessions, empowering nurses to deliver a professional service to those in need of specialist care. I'm delighted to say that we have speakers representing all four corners of the globe, so the congress will offer us all the opportunity to learn about some of the different practices within our nursing specialties and to discover and understand some of the cultural differences.
I look forward to seeing you all in Glasgow where, along with our international colleagues and industry partners, we can consider weaving culture and expertise together to offer the best care to our patients.