Diversity Marginalization and Culturally Competent Health Care

From The Critics

Reviewer: Shirley Hoeman, PhD, MPH, RN,C(Fairfield University)
Description: This new monograph, coauthored by five distinguished members of the American Academy of Nursing and written in a style and tone reminiscent of a white paper, is consistent with the mission of the Academy to provide models and knowledge that will stimulate discussion, exploration, and actions among nurse leaders in the areas of diversity, marginalization, and cultural competency.
Purpose: In addition to the overall stated goal, the authors have listed five specific purposes for the publication, all related to developing knowledge about diversity, marginalization, and cultural competency. These include establishing a framework for analysis of progress in knowledge; providing a forum for discussion of issues; stimulating discussion about theoretical and methodological strategies; providing exemplar models of research, practice, and education; and identifying recommendations along with strategies and priority activities. Each of these purposes is defined clearly and developed fully and consistently.
Audience: Although the authors state the monograph was written for nurses, especially for those in leadership positions, it will be useful and pertinent for health providers from other health disciplines, as well as for nurses. Since the authors are collectively knowledgeable about theory and cultural areas, and their work also reflects their expertise across multiple areas of nursing, their contributions automatically broaden the scope of professionals who may have an interest in this publication.
Features: Readers will appreciate the high quality of publications listed in both references and a bibliography. The carefully selected materials include current publications and original sources for classic publications. Additionally, the authors introduce the concept of marginalization in the same context with diversity and culture within the structure of a monograph. A few carefully constructed diagrams would have been helpful to relieve or break up the text. The section devoted to priorities and recommendations is developed exceptionally well and may serve as a basis for a variety of research and practice actions.
Assessment: This highly useful monograph is recommended as a resource for libraries, schools of nursing, students in courses with related content, health providers in leadership positions, and individual nurses working in the community.

Shirley Hoeman

This new monograph, coauthored by five distinguished members of the American Academy of Nursing and written in a style and tone reminiscent of a white paper, is consistent with the mission of the Academy to provide models and knowledge that will stimulate discussion, exploration, and actions among nurse leaders in the areas of diversity, marginalization, and cultural competency. In addition to the overall stated goal, the authors have listed five specific purposes for the publication, all related to developing knowledge about diversity, marginalization, and cultural competency. These include establishing a framework for analysis of progress in knowledge; providing a forum for discussion of issues; stimulating discussion about theoretical and methodological strategies; providing exemplar models of research, practice, and education; and identifying recommendations along with strategies and priority activities. Each of these purposes is defined clearly and developed fully and consistently. Although the authors state the monograph was written for nurses, especially for those in leadership positions, it will be useful and pertinent for health providers from other health disciplines, as well as for nurses. Since the authors are collectively knowledgeable about theory and cultural areas, and their work also reflects their expertise across multiple areas of nursing, their contributions automatically broaden the scope of professionals who may have an interest in this publication. Readers will appreciate the high quality of publications listed in both references and a bibliography. The carefully selected materials include current publications and original sources for classic publications.Additionally, the authors introduce the concept of marginalization in the same context with diversity and culture within the structure of a monograph. A few carefully constructed diagrams would have been helpful to relieve or break up the text. The section devoted to priorities and recommendations is developed exceptionally well and may serve as a basis for a variety of research and practice actions. This highly useful monograph is recommended as a resource for libraries, schools of nursing, students in courses with related content, health providers in leadership positions, and individual nurses working in the community.

5 Stars! from Doody