Is psychiatry a mirror of cultural diversity?

Abstract

Nursing professionals nowadays deal with a wide variety of clients/customers/patients, and it is not the traditional patient anymore, since they come from various places, with different cultures and languages. Society is becoming more plural and Nursing must also do so, accepting the multiplicity of habits and ways of life at the workplace, recognising diversity and contributing to social interaction. Multiculturality is a reality in our society, and must therefore reflect on the health system in our community, both at primary or specialised health care levels. In June 1998, the Mostoles Hospital Psychiatry Unit was opened in Madrid. Is cultural diversity reflected on Mental Health? How is this done? What is the most represented country? How old are the patients? Are they male o female? ... These were the questions which determined this descriptive retrospective study during the years 2001, 2002 and 2003, with patients admitted to this psychiatric unit.

Keywords

• Psiquiatría
• Diversidad cultural
• Enfermería