The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model Report

Why I am choosing this model

I am choosing this model because it is simple to understand and apply it in both ambulatory and inpatient settings (Davidhizar et al., 1998). The broad applicability of the model enables nurses understand various aspects that may influence patients’ health improvements. The six components of the model are applied in detail by nurses to provide quality healthcare to persons seeking healthcare.

Strengths and limitations of the model

The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model has its greatest advantage in its applicability in both nursing and specialist cases. The other advantages are in the components of the model. The model attempts to understand the cultural aspects of individuals holistically. It achieves this by analyzing communication and social organizations among individuals. The model also recognizes the impact of other factors like biological variation and environmental control on the outcome of healthcare services.

The model also has disadvantages. It does not exhaust on the number of components that are explained by other transcultural models. The model does not address the component of food, yet food is regarded as an essential component in the healing process. The model does not also encompass gender-based healthcare yet most cultures have gender-based care.

Applications of three components of the model

• Communication: In the Asian tradition heritage, a mother of a sick child may use different words to describe the condition of her child. She may also use various tones when describing various aspects of the suffering her child is undergoing.
• Social organization: In the Asian tradition heritage, the father of a sick child provides financial resources while the mother provides healthcare support to the child in inpatient settings.
• Environmental control: In the Asian tradition heritage, most individuals seeking healthcare in hospitals believe that there are external forces determining their health status. Thus, they believe they cannot do much to improve their health conditions on their own.

Evaluations and recommendations

The Giger and Davidhizar Transcultural Assessment Model has broad applications in the healthcare settings, and the knowledge gained from assessments enables healthcare professionals offer culturally-based care (Giger et al., 2005). The model helps nurses and other healthcare professionals comprehend a person’s beliefs, values and attitudes. However, the domains encompassed in the model are not exhaustive. The model needs to increase the number of domains that will holistically address cultural issues among the individuals seeking healthcare. For example, food and gender-based domains are necessary when addressing healthcare matters among individuals in different cultural settings.

References

Davidhizar, R., Bechtel, G., & Giger, J. N. (1998). A model to enhance culturally competent care. Hospital topics, 76(2), 22-26.

Giger, J. N., & Davidhizar, R. (2002). The Giger and Davidhizar transcultural assessment model. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 185-188.

Giger, J. N., Davidhizar, R. E., & Fordham, P. (2005). Multi-cultural and multi-ethnic considerations and advanced directives: developing cultural competency. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 13(1), 3-9.