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Autism health passports (AHPs) have been endorsed by the UK government and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, but are they working in practice? As autistic researchers, we want to share what we have discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your understanding of vaccine hesitancy and its determinants • To recognise the potential effects of negative and conflicting vaccination information on social media platforms • To consider strategies you could use to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation on social media in your practice Vaccine hesitancy, defined as the refusal or delay of acceptance of vaccines, is a threat to the elimination and/or eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases, and therefore has significant implications for global health. Negative and conflicting vaccination information on social media can lead to vaccine hesitancy, including among parents who need to decide whether to have their children vaccinated. This article discusses the dissemination and content of vaccination information on social media, and explores the effects this can have on vaccine hesitancy and uptake. It also outlines various strategies that nurses can use to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation on social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To understand the requirement for telephone assessments during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic • To familiarise yourself with the skills required to undertake telephone assessments • To enhance your knowledge of specific techniques such as active listening The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an increase in the number of healthcare consultations being undertaken remotely rather than face to face, including telephone assessments with patients. When undertaking telephone assessments, the communication and clinical skills used in face-to-face consultations must be adapted to compensate for the loss of visual contact between the patient and the nurse. Specific techniques such as visualisation and managing silence can enable the nurse to develop trust and rapport with the patient, and contribute to effective telephone assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To understand how trans and non-binary patients may have a negative experience when accessing healthcare • To learn how enhanced communication can result in a positive healthcare experience for trans and non-binary patients • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) There is increasing evidence to suggest that transgender (trans) and non-binary people encounter significant societal discrimination, stereotypical and misleading representation in the media, and frequent misgendering. They may also experience several barriers to accessing healthcare, as well as discrimination from staff and other patients. This article explores how and why trans and non-binary people experience discrimination, and discusses how healthcare professionals, including nurses, can enhance the care experience for these patients, with a particular emphasis on language and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To increase your awareness of interprofessional education • To assist you in enhancing the quality of patient care through collaborative working • To enhance your knowledge of the use of simulation to replicate clinical scenarios in a safe educational environment During an episode of care, a patient may be attended by a variety of healthcare professionals. In addition, healthcare service provision can be complex, and patients may feel that elements of their care have been missed or delayed due to inadequate collaboration and communication between the staff involved. Interprofessional education (IPE) involves students from two or more professions learning about each other's roles and skills. Increasing calls for integrated and joined-up healthcare services mean that staff will be increasingly required to collaborate with colleagues, with the aim of providing joined-up care. This article explains the background to IPE, how it can be implemented in practice and the barriers that nurses should consider to ensure effective implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote fitness to practise (FtP) hearings were introduced to limit the need for people to gather in one place, as part of emergency measures introduced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To recognise the reasons why medicines-related harm remains an issue • To refresh your knowledge of the aims of medicines optimisation • To identify potential strategies that you could use in your area of practice to reduce the risk of medicines-related harm Effective medicines optimisation involves the use of medicines to control disease while ensuring that adverse effects are kept to a minimum. However, medicines-related harm and symptom mismanagement represent significant risks to patients, particularly those with long-term conditions. These risks are accentuated by inadequate patient monitoring, with some nurses and other healthcare professionals being unaware of their responsibility to monitor patients and avoid medicines-related harm. This article explores strategies that will enable nurses to take an increasingly active role in medicines optimisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kind, considerate and empathetic care is provided in our hospitals on a daily basis. Sadly, this isn't always the case. I am reminded of this when I recall a hospital encounter between an older couple and a care assistant. The couple, who appeared to be in their eighties, were sitting together when the refreshment trolley arrived. Both looked unwell but the woman had been admitted as a patient and her husband was visiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I have been a general practice nurse for 16 years and an advanced nurse practitioner for the past four. One of my major concerns has always been seeing patients with mental health issues – I felt I wasn't the right person to help so would refer the patient to their GP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year and it is the country's fourth most common cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides guidance for clinicians on assessment and care of people with eating and drinking difficulties. Topics discussed include remarks from Chief Admiral Nurse and chief executive of Dementia UK Hilda Hayo, determinants of successful eating and drinking, and explanation on risk feeding.

The article explores challenges generated by the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to community end of life care in the United Kingdom (UK). Topics discussed include principles of end of life care, outcomes of a rapid review on the role and response of primary care and community palliative care nursing during epidemics and pandemics, published by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, and effects of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) on communication.

Up to one in five of the UK population are thought to be affected at some point in their lives by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic and often debilitating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your awareness of the barriers that may prevent you from recognising acute pain in patients • To recognise how you can overcome the barriers that prevent the recognition of pain • To understand the components of a comprehensive pain assessment This article considers two areas of practice that are fundamental to the provision of high-quality nursing care for people experiencing acute pain: the initial recognition of pain, and the formal assessment of pain. The initial recognition of a patient's pain is a subject that is frequently overlooked in the literature. However, if nurses are unable to identify that a patient is experiencing pain, then a formal pain assessment may not take place, which in turn negatively affects the quality of any subsequent pain management. This article explores some of the barriers to the initial recognition of pain and examines how a formal pain assessment can support optimal patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses how language can act as a barrier to and assist nurses in the United Kingdom (UK) in understanding the patient's pain experience. Topics covered include the personal nature of pain, the often suboptimal pain assessment, with severity often underestimated by healthcare professionals, and the possible influence of language in effective pain management. Also noted is the interchangeable use of the terms pain, discomfort and comfort.

Our panel of nurses and healthcare professionals consider a topical nursing issue and share their views in a personal capacity only [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our panel of nurses and healthcare professionals consider a topical nursing issue and share their views in a personal capacity only [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To understand the various lay concepts of health • To understand how lay concepts of health can inform people's experiences of treatment and influence their attitude to self-care • To update your knowledge of the importance of person-centred care Health is a concept that is central to nurse education and nursing practice. It remains a dynamic concept, however, that has evolved over time and can be examined from contrasting perspectives. This article explores the various perspectives of health, for example lay concepts of health and factors such as happiness and well-being and their effect on people's perceptions of health. It is recommended that nurses use a person-centred approach to explore patients' concepts of health, which can influence their capacity to self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient handovers are the way in which responsibility for immediate and ongoing care is transferred between healthcare professionals. They are a fundamental part of nursing practice, and as a nursing student, it won't take long for you to come across them on clinical placement, both in acute and community settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resuscitation Council UK ReSPECT (Recommended summary plan for emergency care and treatment) clinical lead Catherine Baldock and legal adviser for the ReSPECT process Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) answer some of the questions most frequently asked about do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastroenterology is a diverse specialty covering a large variety of conditions and affecting patients of all ages and backgrounds. It requires input from a huge range of healthcare professionals, and often close collaboration between specialties, and it provides important opportunities for learning both core and specialist nursing skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When faced with undergoing anaesthetic, and thoughts of risk factors, surgical instruments and a possible long recovery, it is understandable for patients to feel nervous ahead of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare has always been a sector where staff have to deal with constant change, but never has this flux been so extreme as during the pandemic of the past 18 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driving around looking for a safe place to park when visiting a patient's home, or working alone in an isolated part of a big building are scenarios many nurses will recognise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bowel care is of great importance for a patient's quality of life, yet many people are too embarrassed to discuss the subject. It's a conversation that arguably needs to be had whatever the clinical setting: £168 million was spent by NHS England on treating constipation in 2018-19, the equivalent of funding 7,304 newly qualified nurses for a year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To understand the requirements of an effective conference poster design • To obtain practical advice on developing and presenting a conference poster • To enhance your poster development and presentation skills Rationale and key points: Conference posters can be used by nurses to disseminate the findings of studies, audits or service improvement projects. Despite the lack of robust evidence on what an optimal poster should include, the literature contains several sources of useful information on the topic. A conference poster requires thorough and systematic preparation; authors will need to determine what message they want to convey, what the aim of their poster is, and how they will ensure precision, clarity, brevity and visual appeal. This article provides a step-by-step guide to assist nurses in developing optimal poster content and design, and in delivering effective poster presentations. • A conference poster needs to be clear and make sense without additional explanation. • To develop an engaging and attractive poster, it is important to find a balance between text and image. • Being prepared to answer challenging questions is essential for optimal poster presentations. Reflective activity: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: 1. How reading this article will improve your poster development or presentation skills. 2. How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues wanting to develop a conference poster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To understand how to incorporate spiritual care into your day-to-day nursing practice • To be aware of the competencies and personal qualities required to provide effective spiritual care • To familiarise yourself with the concepts of availability and vulnerability in relation to spiritual care An awareness of the concept of spirituality is integral to the provision of person-centred holistic care. However, the nurse's ability to provide spiritual care is often impeded by time pressures and the prioritisation of clinical tasks. Confusion about the meaning of spirituality and its relationship to religion may also compound the challenges involved in providing spiritual care, and nurses often feel ill-equipped to address this area of care. This article discusses the challenges associated with the concept of spirituality, and describes the competencies and personal qualities that nurses require to achieve spiritually competent practice. It also explains the concepts of availability and vulnerability, which can support the personal development required for nurses to become spiritually competent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To familiarise yourself with the role of the academic assessor • To understand how the role of academic assessor fits into the practice assessment process • To emphasise the importance of providing effective feedback Publication of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's standards for student supervision and assessment introduced the role of academic assessor. However, there has been little research into the role and what it entails. This article examines the role of academic assessor and discusses who can become an academic assessor, their responsibilities, and the potential challenges and benefits associated with the role. The article also explains how effective feedback and communication between academic assessors and practice assessors can support the academic progression of nursing students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To recognise the importance of effective drain management to optimise patient care and safety • To understand how you can ensure drain safety • To maintain your knowledge of drain-related complications The literature indicates that drain monitoring is a frequently undervalued aspect of patient care, and that the drain care provided is often inconsistent and inadequate. There are numerous potential implications of suboptimal drain care for patients, nurses, teams and healthcare organisations. Since acute care is increasingly being delivered in the community, there is a greater need for nurses to have an understanding of effective drain care. This article describes the rationale for drain insertion and its associated complications. It uses a case study to illustrate how suboptimal drain monitoring and documentation can negatively affect patient care and safety. This article also discusses several important issues raised in the case study, such as suboptimal documentation, and how these may have consequences for nurses, teams and healthcare organisations. Recognition of these elements supports initiatives that nurses could apply to practice to reduce the occurrence of similar incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To identify the range of individual personality types • To understand how knowledge of personality types can improve your communication with colleagues and patients • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) Understanding personality types can assist nurses in enhancing their understanding of themselves and their colleagues, which in turn can support effective communication. This article outlines the principles of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – a personality inventory that aims to improve the understanding of psychological types – and details the characteristics of the MBTI's 16 different personality types. The article explores how these 16 personality types can influence communication within healthcare teams and between healthcare professionals. It also discusses how these personality types affect styles of nurse leadership and how an understanding of personality types can improve nurses' communication with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To recognise the definition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people, and what these terms mean • To understand the health inequalities that affect LGBTQI+ patients • To remain aware of areas where the nursing care of LGBTQI+ patients may require a personalised response such as Evidence demonstrates that subconscious and intentional discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people continues to exist in the UK healthcare system. Surveys have indicated significant health inequalities in LGBTQI+ populations, including high rates of mental health issues and suboptimal healthcare experiences. This article explores these issues and encourages nurses to reflect on their unique and privileged position to champion the rights of vulnerable people, as well as their role in improving the healthcare experience of LGBTQI+ patients in the future. It also discusses safety issues and special considerations for LGBTQI+ patients, including those related to sexual health, mental health and intellectual disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To recognise the importance of communicating effectively with patients to optimise their outcomes and enhance their experience • To enhance your knowledge of the principles and methods that you can use to inform your approach to communicating effectively with patients • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) Communication between a nurse and a patient may seem intuitive. However, communicating effectively with patients while applying the principles of person-centred care can be challenging. Patients' perceptions of suboptimal care and healthcare services may be influenced by how nurses communicate with them, since communication may be used as a quality indicator, as well as an indicator of patient experience. This article considers how nurses can communicate effectively with patients to optimise care. It explores the theoretical principles of interpersonal and professional communication, and discusses practical methods of listening and speaking to patients that nurses can apply in their clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Florence Nightingale, named after the Italian city where she was born on 12 May 1820, is associated with far-sighted ideas as well as public health reforms and campaigns that still influence healthcare today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To understand the risks and benefits of nursing students using social media • To learn about e-professionalism on social media, and the standards expected of nurses • To recognise the role of the educator in supporting nursing students to meet e-professionalism standards on social media E-professionalism is defined as the competence and values expected of professionals when engaged in online communication, and is a rapidly expanding area of nursing practice. The use of online social media is popular among nursing students, some of whom have created online platforms for peer support and influence. There are significant benefits of using social media for nursing students, such as developing professional networks, engaging in the nursing community, accessing and providing support, and enhancing their knowledge. However, nursing students must be made aware of the potential risks in relation to how they share information and communicate online. These risks include misconduct investigations and could result in exclusion from their studies, resulting in them being unable to join the professional register. Nursing students and educators should be supported to use digital technologies in a way that capitalises on their benefits, while minimising their risks. This article aims to enhance nursing students' and nurses' understanding of e-professionalism so that they can use social media effectively for peer support and to enhance patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever thought of leaving your job, or even the NHS altogether? A programme being rolled out across England aims to convince nurses to stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To recognise that pain is a subjective experience that can be challenging to assess and manage • To develop an awareness of the various pain assessment tools available • To understand how you can observe patient behaviours that may indicate pain Pain is a personal, individual and subjective experience. The complex and dynamic nature of pain makes its assessment and management challenging for healthcare professionals. Various pain scales are available that can assist in identifying the patient's experience of pain; however, these tend to reduce this experience to a measure of pain intensity. The use of pain scales also requires patients to communicate and describe their pain; when this is not possible, it is necessary for healthcare professionals to observe patient behaviours that may indicate pain. Various observational pain assessment tools have been developed to assist in recognising and assessing pain. This article discusses the various pain scales and observational pain assessment tools that are available, and the evidence to support their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disabled people are one of the groups in society with the greatest health needs, yet they experience some of the most significant barriers to accessing healthcare services. This article describes examples of how three healthcare services have met the Equality Act 2010 duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, so that they are not disadvantaged in accessing these services. Each of these services identified disabled patients, and considered and recorded the specific reasonable adjustments that were required. In doing so, they took time to fully understand the needs of the individual from their perspective. The services collaborated and coordinated the provision of reasonably adjusted care by communicating effectively with other health and social care providers, working together as a team, and treating disabled people as individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programmes are an innovative approach to optimising patient outcomes in the perioperative period and have been implemented in various surgical departments across a range of specialties, with varying degrees of success. ERAS is an evidence-based, multimodal programme that has repeatedly demonstrated a reduction in post-operative complications and reduced the length of hospital stays following elective surgery. However, despite extensive evidence to support these benefits, several barriers to ERAS implementation have been identified. This article outlines the components of ERAS, focusing on the barriers to its implementation and how these could be overcome. It also discusses the implications of ERAS for patients, nurses and healthcare organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the impact of Great Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) on the supply of medicines and other supplies. Nurses have expressed concerns that Brexit will result in issues such as drug or product substitutions and stockpiling by patients. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned about added workload for nurses and the effect of Brexit on the National Health Service (NHS).

Concern over saying the wrong thing, combined with a lack of training, is preventing nurses from giving the best care to people who are transgender or non-binary, according to a new RCN resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on tools that nursing students can use to help identify and manage patient deterioration. Topics covered include data on avoidable deaths in United Kingdom, how the National Early Warning Score works and the ABCDE approach to carry out patient assessments. It also cites how to support students to raise concerns.

The author describes the steps he has taken to create change in the hospital setting to tackle the level of attempted suicides in the gastroenterology ward. He tells about creating the Change Talks event where people could share their mental health journeys while addressing the stigma. He describes turning the event into an educational program for young people to deal with topics like anxiety, depression, negative use of social media and coping strategies and later into a training model.

As deputy charge nurse on an infectious disease ward, Robert Vicente was looking for ways to save money and reduce his workplace's environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Sarah Malik left clinical nursing as she was starting her family, she missed it so much it was almost painful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of breakaway training to nursing students. Topics include difference between breakaway and de-escalation techniques, the aim of the training, and how the training works. Also mentioned are early warning signs that a patient may become violent including shouting or loud voice, angry demeanor, and tense posture.

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your awareness of the challenges and facilitators in providing effective end of life care to dying patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) • To consider your role in enhancing important aspects of end of life care, such as timely communication and patient involvement in decisions about their care • To be aware of the emotional challenges involved in caring for dying patients and how effective communication practices can be a source of support for yourself and your colleagues Caring for patients who are at the end of their lives is an essential aspect of practice in intensive care units (ICUs). While intensive care is one of the fastest-growing healthcare specialties as a result of technological and scientific advances, a significant proportion of patients admitted to an ICU in the UK will not survive their ICU stay. Therefore, it is important to examine ways to enhance practice in this area and the factors that might affect the care provided to patients and their families. Aim: To identify the challenges and facilitators that members of the ICU multidisciplinary team encounter in the delivery of end of life care to dying patients in ICUs. Method: A scoping literature review was undertaken. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus with full text, MEDLINE Complete and the EBSCOhost E-Journals Database were searched electronically to identify literature from April 2007 to April 2017, alongside hand-searching. Critical appraisal tools were used and thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse the data and identify themes. Findings: Ten articles were included in the literature review, which identified various challenges and facilitators in providing effective end of life care in ICUs. The main themes identified were: communication, family involvement, personal factors and the ICU environment. Conclusion: All of the studies included in the literature review identified several important challenges related to communication, such as time constraints, disagreements among healthcare professionals, and a lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals about how to conduct challenging conversations with patients and families. Future developments in practice should consider the role of effective multidisciplinary team-working in end of life care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To recognise the symptoms and causes of various mental health conditions • To enhance patient safety by being aware of the risks associated with mental health conditions, such as suicide and self-harm • To understand the communication skills that can be used to improve care and support for people with mental health conditions Nurses often care for people with mental health conditions in general clinical settings. In these situations, they have a responsibility to ensure that the individual's physical, social and psychological needs are assessed and met. Nurses practising in general clinical settings should be familiar with the skills and knowledge required to meet the needs of people with mental health conditions. This article aims to provide nurses practising in general clinical settings with an understanding of such conditions and the associated effects on an individual's physical health. It also details the signs and symptoms of various mental health conditions, and outlines the communication skills that nurses can use when caring for people with these conditions in general clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deteriorating patients often present with suboptimal vital signs. If these are not recognised by healthcare staff, the patient's condition can deteriorate further, potentially leading to serious complications and even death. Despite efforts to improve ward nurses' recognition of, and responses to, deteriorating patients, this aspect of care has been found to be suboptimal. Aim To identify factors that influence ward nurses' responses to deteriorating patients. Method A literature review was undertaken, based on the research question 'What factors influence the trigger component of ward-based registered nurses' afferent response to deteriorating patients?' Several electronic databases were searched electronically to identify relevant articles, alongside handsearching. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were set to determine which articles should be included in the literature review. Findings Nine studies were identified for inclusion in the literature review. Four main themes that influenced ward nurses' responses to deteriorating patients emerged: communication, diurnal and weekend variation, knowledge and attitudes, and nurse staffing levels. Conclusion Effective communication was identified as an important factor in improving ward nurses' responses to deteriorating patients, as was improved knowledge of 'do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation' (DNACPR) orders. It was also identified that increased ward nurse numbers improved responses to deteriorating patients, as did increased availability of senior healthcare staff, which enabled junior staff to escalate care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracheostomy insertion and management is increasingly common in critical care units and general wards. Therefore, it is important that nurses are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills to meet the individual needs of patients with a tracheostomy safely and competently. This article aims to enhance nurses' understanding of the potential challenges that patients with a tracheostomy may experience, and to guide nurses in providing effective care and support to these patients. It outlines the care that should be provided for patients with a tracheostomy who are critically ill, including methods of humidification and endotracheal suctioning. This article also discusses the effects that a tracheostomy may have on a patient's communication and psychological well-being, and explains the actions that nurses should take in an emergency and if complications occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of global migration, nurses are caring for patients in increasingly diverse cultural and linguistic settings. Intercultural nursing requires nurses to care for patients as unique individuals while considering their cultural needs. Being able to communicate effectively with patients from various cultures is crucial for understanding and for optimal delivery of patient care. Communication must be considered in the context of overall care; therefore, this article describes important concepts underpinning appropriate intercultural care. It provides a guide to effective intercultural communication by discussing three main areas: cultural knowledge, attitudes and feelings, and communication skills. These are the essential areas that nurses can reflect on, and develop and apply in intercultural communication with patients and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]