Chapters authored
Transcultural Nursing By Vasfiye Bayram Değer
Culture is defined as the sum of all the material and spiritual values created in the process of social development and the tools that are used to create and hand these values down to next generations and show the extent of the man’s authority and control over their natural and social environment. The term “culture”, which diversifies in each community and so is experienced differently, also affects the way individuals perceive the phenomena such as health, illness, happiness, sadness and the manner these emotions are experienced. The term health, whose nature and meaning is highly variable across different cultures requires care involving cultural recognition, valueing and practice. The nursing profession, which plays an important role in the health team, is often based on a cultural phenomenon. The cultural values, beliefs and practices of the patient are an integral part of holistic nursing care. The aim of nursing is to provide a wholly caring and humanistic service respecting people’s cultural values and lifestyles. Nurses should offer an acceptable and affordable care for the individuals under the conditions of the day. Knowing what cultural practices are done in the target communities and identifying the cultural barriers to offering quality health care positively affects the caring process. Nurses should explore new ways of providing cultural care in multicultural societies, understand how culture affects health-illness definitions and build a bridge for the gap between the caring process and the individuals in different cultures.
Part of the book: Nursing
Outbreak Management and COVID-19 Pandemic By Vasfiye Bayram Değer
Humanity has battled with various epidemics, pandemics and natural disasters throughout history since it began to live in communities, still continuing to do so. In the past, it was very difficult to overcome many of these phenomena both at global and regional level, and even many people were killed. However, during the plagues, countries attempted to develop a number of strategies, tactics and methods within the scope of combating the epidemic. At this point, these struggles, measures and actions have facilitated prevention and spread of outbreaks, and sometimes they have not been sufficiently efficacious. On the other hand, struggles with epidemics, pandemics and natural disasters, which deeply affect all segments of the society in terms of social, cultural and economic aspects as well as mental and physical health, have been inherited to the present day, becoming a vast accumulation of practices to be re-applied in possible disasters humanity will face. The main point lies in the fact that here is that the struggles fought in traditional societies and modern societies have different characteristics. Especially in those traditional societies where medicine and technology are underdeveloped, the struggles carried out within uncertain constraints have caused pandemics and epidemics to last longer. The modern society we live in today, on the other hand, is on the verge of several risks and threats unlike traditional societies. When we consider the modern society within the risk society approaches, the present risks should also be thoroughly discussed. In this context, epidemics, which are a type of natural disaster, and the methods of combating them should be investigated within the framework of risk and crisis management due to the risks in modern society.
Part of the book: Teamwork in Healthcare
Perspective Chapter: Psychological Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic By Vasfiye Bayram Değer
COVID-19, the viral pneumonia seen in China towards the end of 2019, was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 since it spread almost all over the world. While such pandemic situations that are concerned with public health cause a sense of insecurity, confusion, loneliness and stigmatization among individuals, it can result in economic losses, closure of workplaces and schools, insufficient resources for medical needs and inadequate satisfaction of needs in societies. The economic crisis, which is one of the most important problems in pandemic periods, and the concomitant uncertainties can also cause suicidal thoughts. As a result, how the society responds psychologically during epidemics has an important role in shaping the spread of the disease, emotional difficulties and social problems during and after the epidemic. It often appears that no resources are allocated to manage, or at least mitigate the effects of epidemics on psychological health and well-being. In the acute phase of the epidemic, health system administrators prioritize testing, preventing contagion and providing patient care, but psychological needs should not be disregarded either.
Part of the book: Psychosocial, Educational, and Economic Impacts of COVID-19
Reproductive Health and Ethical Problems in Women’s Health By Vasfiye Bayram Değer
Development levels of countries are determined by a number of parameters including women’s educational status, women’s active participation in political, indicators of women’s health, mortality of mother and infants, the social status of women in that country, the general level of economic development and the quality of the health services provided. Sexual and reproductive health problems, which occupy an important place among women’s health problems both around the world and in our country, are commonly encountered. In addition, rapid changes and medical advances are booming nowadays. While these advances help to overcome many health problems, they also affect social values and engender ethical problems. In particular, these ethical dilemmas emerge in every field influencing women’s health and may adversely affect women’s health by causing ethical violations. It is one of the major duties of health care professionals to prevent ethical violations of women who are already disadvantageous in every aspect of social life. In this context, the professionals working in the field of all women’s health should be knowledgeable about ethical rules and adhere to these rules. Prevention and reduction programs for sexual health and reproductive health problems will contribute to promoting women’s health and ultimately the public health.
Part of the book: Midwifery
