Cultural Competency - Multicultural Health Generalizations: Russian
Communicating with Russian Patients
- Russian
- Communicating with Your Russian Patients
- Key Points to Remember When Interviewing A Russian Customer
Serious or Terminal Illness & Russians
- With some Russian patients, family members may need to be notified first - before telling the patient about his/her terminal or serious illness.
- Family members can then decide whether or not to tell the patient of his/her condition and prognosis.
- Family members do not want the patient worry and be anxious about his/her terminal illness, adding yet another burden.
- The family's intention is for the patient to be at peace, so physical and emotional conditions do not worsen.
Source: Lipson, J.G., Dibble, S.L., and Minarik, P.A. (Eds.) (1998). Culture & Nursing Care: A Pocket Guide. California: UCSF Nursing Press.
Russians and Causes of Illness
- Some Russians may be concerned with staying warm, and have a fear of cold temperatures, because they feel cold could cause illness.
- Russian patients may resist a health care provider's suggestion to ice a sore part of their body.
- When Russian patients get the flu, they might blame it on exposure to a draft rather than on exposure to a virus.
- One common Russian remedy for colds and flu is the use of "bonki". Glass cups are pressed on a sick person's back and shoulders to ease fever and flu symptoms, often leaving behind bruises and welts. Such practices have been misinterpreted as abuse.
Source: St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program. ALANA Culture Center, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY http://offices.colgate.edu/alanaculturalcenter/communityservice/utica/
cultures/russian/belief_practice.htm(disabled) (2004, Apr. 26)
Russian Pregnancy Practices
With some Russian patients, prenatal care is expected only when pregnant women feel that something is wrong. Pregnant women are often protected from bad news, since such news is believed to be harmful to the baby. Throughout the entire pregnancy term, expectant mothers are discouraged from skipping any steps when climbing or going down stairs, and lifting heavy objects for fear of losing the baby. During the last trimester, pregnant women are especially discouraged from lifting heavy objects, such as chairs or boxes, and from performing heavy exercise, such as jumping or jogging. These activities are believed to potentially harm the baby; for example, the umbilical cord may become wrapped around the baby, the baby might choke, move to breech position, or become past due. Being aware of potential Russian pregnancy practices can aid in providing culturally competent health care.
Source: Evanikoff, L. J. (1996). Russians. Culture and Nursing Care: A pocket guide. San Francisco: University of California.
Russian Family Relationships
- The composition of a Russian family includes the extended family and is structured to have strong family bonds and great respect for elders.
- Decision-making and role of spokesperson is the responsibility of the father, mother, eldest son, or eldest daughter.
- The whole family often pulls together during a crisis for support and strength.
- No major gender issues exist. Although a husband and wife might consult with each other, the wife might eventually give way to her husband’s opinion. The more dominant personality usually prevails.
- Children, adults, and the elderly are all expected to care for ill family members.
- Adults are expected to accept their parents into their home and provide care.
- Friends are also expected to visit the ill in the hospital to provide strength and support.
Source: Evanikoff, L. J. (1996). Russians. Culture and nursing care: A pocket guide. San Francisco, CA: University of California
