Healing Hands: Providing Care Across Cultures in Peru

While on the nursing global health trip to Peru, I learned about the challenges of providing health care in resource-limited settings and the importance of cultural sensitivity in patient interactions. These experiences highlighted the need for adaptability and creative problem-solving in the nursing practice. Applying these lessons, I can enhance my practice by being more resourceful, empathetic and collaborative to address diverse needs effectively.

Visiting Peru and getting a view of what health care looks like in underserved communities was very eye opening. I feel grateful to have been a part of cervical cancer screenings and to have learned how to perform pap smears. I had yet to find an area of nursing I was truly passionate about until this trip. Taking care of women and advocating for them was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This trip has led to my decision to pursue my DNP in Family Nursing. 

I learned about the importance of community in health care. The people that we saw relied on one another for transportation and childcare to get to the clinic. Furthermore, this trip gave me a new perspective on using available resources to provide the best health care you can. The clinics in Peru did not have a lot of the equipment we’re used to having, so we learned to use what we had. 

The opportunity to travel to Peru was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Participating in health care delivery in traditional communities that would not otherwise receive care was both humbling and eye opening. We have so many resources at our fingertips that we take for granted in the U.S. and cultivating a sense of awareness was my greatest takeaway. I hope this is the first of many mission trips in my future.

One of the main things I learned in Peru was how to be adaptable. We also had a lot of language barriers, because none of our group was fluent in Spanish, and we did not have an interpreter. It also showed me the responsibility I have as someone interested in future global outreach to hone my language skills. Being in Peru aside from the clinical experience was breathtaking. I felt lucky to see such beautiful sites and I loved to hear the locals talk with pride about the beauty and natural resources of their area and their rich history.

I learned how to communicate with patients from different cultures who speak other languages. We overcame the language barrier by communicating using technology and body language. I’m very determined to learn Spanish now, and I can apply this knowledge to clinical practice here at home because we have a large Spanish-speaking population here in Buffalo, NY. Being bilingual can help tremendously in any hospital setting, especially in an emergency setting. 

When I went to Peru, I learned more than just how to treat people. It gave me a deeper understanding of how to provide authentic and compassionate care. There was an unsaid understanding between us, even with the language barrier. With approximately 200 people waiting in the unbearable heat to seek out our free care, they were still dancing together in line, showing us that life is truly about happiness and who you spend time with. No matter the situation they were in, they still enjoyed every moment. Because of this trip, it allowed me to have a more positive perspective on life — giving me more empathy and understanding of those around me. 

I developed a deeper understanding of the role that cultural sensitivity plays in patient care delivery, especially when applied in a global community setting. Through this experience, I learned to navigate unpredictable situations and gain a sense of community in a culture completely different from my own. Regardless of the environment or background, it is essential to demonstrate cultural humility, take the time to establish trust with patients, and remain sensitive to the patients’ individual values and expectations. The experiences and lessons I learned from this program are concepts that I will always carry with me and be sure to implement in future practice. 

Through my experience in Peru, I have seen how different medical care is given compared to the U.S. It is less medically advanced, and resources are limited. It has taught me to be resourceful in any given situation to best treat my patients. I have met amazing people during the trip and experienced their beautiful culture. I plan on applying the valuable lessons and skills I’ve learned to my future practice.

One moment stuck with me after Peru: a patient needed an IV, and we struggled to find a vein, but I noticed one in her hand. The health care team was against this, as they were concerned about the pain it might cause her. Their compassion made me reflect on my own and overall general practices at home; while we strive to avoid causing pain, we often neglect to prioritize minimizing it. This experience reinforced the importance of patient-centered care to me, where prioritizing a patient’s comfort and needs should always come first.