Linking aboriginal healing traditions to holistic nursing practice.
With a phenomenal expected growth in the Canadian Aboriginal population and the fact that less than 1% of Canadian health professionals are of Aboriginal ancestry, there is an increased need for culturally competent health professionals. This article explains diverse healing traditions and links those traditions to holistic nursing practice. Respect for culturally sensitive care is necessary for understanding Aboriginal peoples in different contexts. We suggest that nursing practice, which takes into consideration the understanding of Aboriginal healing traditions, strengthens the intention of nurses to be holistic. Holism in nursing allows the profession to be on the fore-front of understanding Aboriginal healing traditions; the linking of holistic nursing practice with Aboriginal healing traditions offers a foundation on which to build culturally competent care.
Hunter
Linda
L
University of Ottawa. hunl@cchsa.ca
Logan
Jo
J
Barton
Sylvia
S
Goulet
Jean-Guy
JG
D002170:Canada; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000592:standards; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016746:Transcultural Nursing / Q000592:standards