title: Family visits and different cultures.
abstract: Family visits to hospitalized patients provide a form of social support. Social support is known to buffer the effects of stress which may occur with an illness, hospitalization or treatment. The cultural background of any patient is an important variable as well as expectations and results of the hospitalization and treatment. The authors studied the effects of family visits upon physiological parameters of critically ill neuro patients. They will discuss the findings of their research which included patients of several cultures such as Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglo American families in the samples used. As returned Peace Corps nurses, the presenters will discuss their experiences in different cultures and the role of the family with neuro patients in the areas. Cultures that will be discussed include those of Native Americans, Malaysians and Columbians. Implications for practice include transcultural nursing assessment. Factors to be included are values, beliefs, customs and social structure. This information should be utilized to provide optimal nursing care individualized to each patient and family with reference to their culture.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
mesh_terms: D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000523:psychology*