Culture shock isn't only brought on by a change in country or language, it could be argued that parents of a sick child may experience a degree of culture shock when their child is admitted to hospital. The hospital environment can be classed as a 'culture', there are certain attitudes and behaviours that medical professionals may subconsciously expect from patients and their families and if these aren't adhered to the family may be looked upon as causing problems for staff, when this may not be the case.
The hospital environment may be completely new and this accompanied with the equipment, medical jargon and the stress of their child being sick can be an extremely challenging time. As a childrens nurse it is important to not simply assume that parents have a previous knowledge and understanding of hospital admission and everything that comes with it, although this will be the case for some patients and their families, it is essential that this is not taken for granted.
More open communication and reassurance by paediatric nurses can go a way towards alleviating the feeling of 'culture shock' in hospital.
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