The interface of anthropology and nursing guiding culturally competent care in psychiatric nursing

Nurses and all health care providers are called on to involve patients and families in health care decision-making and to accommodate culturally diver se populations. This article describes the Interface of Anthropology and Nu rsing Model (IAN), which is derived from the works of Kleinman and Peplau, classical theorists from anthropology and nursing, respectively. This model provides a framework for nurses to uncover cultural information through th e elicitation, analysis, transfer, restructure, and feedback of explanatory models within the interpersonal nurse-patient relationship. Such integrati on of theory enhances a holistic nursing practice incorporating good commun ication, mutual decision making, and fostering patient agency. Copyright (C ) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.