Cultural Interview Questions for Nursing Assessment

Introduction and Background

1. Could you tell me a little about yourself and your cultural background?

2. What country or region are you originally from, and how long have you lived in this area?

3. What languages do you speak, and which do you feel most comfortable using when discussing health concerns?

4. How would you describe your cultural identity, and what aspects are most important to you?

Communication Patterns

5. In your culture, how do people typically communicate about health problems or concerns?

6. Are there certain topics related to health that are considered private or difficult to discuss?

7. Who in your family or community would you typically turn to for health advice?

8. How important is eye contact, physical touch, or personal space in your cultural interactions?

9. Are there specific ways you prefer healthcare providers to address you or communicate with you?

Space and Environment

10. What does a comfortable healing environment look like to you?

11. How important is privacy versus having family present during medical care?

12. Are there any objects, symbols, or arrangements in your living space that relate to health or wellness?

13. How do you feel about being cared for by healthcare providers of different genders?

Social Organization and Family Structure

14. Can you describe your family structure and who the key decision-makers are regarding health?

15. What role do elders play in health decisions in your culture?

16. Are there specific gender roles related to caregiving or health management in your family?

17. How does your community typically support someone who is ill or recovering?

18. What are your cultural expectations around visiting someone who is sick?

Time Orientation

19. How does your culture view punctuality and scheduling, especially for medical appointments?

20. Do you prefer to focus on preventing future health problems, dealing with current issues, or both?

21. Are there specific times of day, week, or year that are better or worse for medical care in your culture?

22. How do you balance traditional healing timeframes with modern medical treatment schedules?

Environmental Control and Health Practices

23. What traditional or cultural practices do you use to maintain good health?

24. Are there specific foods, herbs, or remedies that are important in your culture for healing?

25. Do you use any traditional healers, spiritual advisors, or alternative medicine practitioners?

26. What do you believe causes illness or disease?

27. How do you typically treat common ailments like headaches, stomach problems, or colds?

28. Are there any medical treatments or procedures that conflict with your cultural or religious beliefs?

Biological Variations and Genetic Considerations

29. Are there any health conditions that run in your family or are common in your cultural group?

30. Do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences based on your cultural background?

31. Are there any medications or treatments that you’ve heard work differently for people from your cultural background?

32. How does your culture view mental health and emotional wellness?

Religious and Spiritual Beliefs

33. What role does spirituality or religion play in your approach to health and healing?

34. Are there specific prayers, rituals, or ceremonies that are important when someone is ill?

35. Do you have any religious restrictions regarding medical care, medications, or procedures?

36. Who in your spiritual community might you turn to for support during illness?

Healthcare Experiences and Preferences

37. What have your experiences been like with healthcare providers in this country?

38. Are there any cultural needs that healthcare providers have missed or misunderstood in the past?

39. What would make you feel most comfortable and respected in a healthcare setting?

40. How can healthcare providers better serve people from your cultural background?

Closing Questions

41. Is there anything about your culture and health beliefs that you think is important for healthcare providers to understand?

42. What advice would you give to nurses caring for patients from your cultural background?

43. Are there any questions I should have asked that I didn’t think of?