There must be an understanding of the culture and how their rituals and beliefs differ from Western medicine, and knowing how to handle each situation can make the patient's time in the clinical setting more comfortable and enjoyable if medical staff was educated and aware of the differences. There are different types of cultures and diversity in the healthcare field in the United States; healthcare is needed by all types of people. Mexicans: Doctors, dentists, soberer (a type of acupressure), curanderos (descendentes of ancient shaman) and homegrown family "nurses". In almost all Mexican families, one or more of the women act as first aid specialists. Treating minor health problems with a whole host of medicinal herbs to be taken orally or topologically.
The new science view human beings as living things (organic), holistic (not broken down) interconnected (social, emotional, spiritual, and physical factors), and feminine values of nurturing, compassion and trust ( Egalitarian) are used in treatment (Robinson, 2004). An example is treating an infection using antibiotics along with addressing the emotional and social issues of the individual. To conclude- in history disease prevention was achieved by forcing an individual to change using the power of a priest or a fix person (human body mechanic) eliciting fear of consequences. Whereas in contemporary method the individual makes lifestyle changes
These are all things we expect to get when we visit the doctor as this is why we go there. However the biomedical model also puts some less obvious guidelines in place for doctors and other medical professionals to work to. For instance no blame should be attached to the patient who comes for help, no matter what the condition and that the cause of any illness is biological and only biological. It is these guidelines which make the biomedical model so affective when treating patients directly for their illness. Some of the main benefits of using these guidelines and the biomedical model however can be more easily seen when looking at an infection like HIV and AIDS.
The process of understanding the patient and making that connection is valuable especially when there is a relation between one’s health and spirituality. Even though the medicine and treatment procedures help the patient with curing the illness, there is that factor of spirituality that goes into complete recovery. That’s where it’s important for the health care professional to go outside of the medicine routine to make that connection and help the recovery process. Healing hospitals have different components that would help relax a patient’s or family’s mind and body which will only benefit them physiologically. According to Lane (2005), when body is relaxed it helps to lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase blood flow to the GI system and endorphins are released to the brain.
Cultural competence is obtaining cultural information and then applying that knowledge. This cultural awareness allows you to see the entire picture and improves the quality of care and health outcomes. Adapting to different cultural beliefs and practices requires flexibility and a respect for others view points. Cultural competence means to really listen to the patient, to find out and learn about the patient’s beliefs of health and illness (Salisbury, 2006). To provide culturally appropriate care we need to know and to understand culturally influenced health behaviors.
Alternative medicine is the treatment of illness using natural remedies that are not considered part of western medicine. “Western medicine is the term used to describe the treatment of medical conditions with medications, by doctors, nurses and other conventional healthcare providers who employ methods developed according to scientific traditions.” One example of a western medicine practice is a Registered Nurse. RN’s provide care that encourages and promotes the health of a person. Hypnotism is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. This natural remedy is one that has been used since 1843.
For e.g. if an individual has a heart attack then in this situation the need of the individual is to prevent them from getting worse. It helps people become experts in managing their own condition, therefore stops diseases developing. Government health promotion initiatives The Department of Health is a government department responsible for health protection, health improvement and health inequalities issues in England. So, in an action to improve the health of an individual the Dept of Health
Cultural Considerations Angelina Hopson Communication Skills for the Health Care Professional 2/12/2012 Professor Felencia H. McGee Cultural Considerations The Hispanics perception of health and health care is, that compared to whites they do not get the same suitable health care coverage, as in Native Americans, Asians, also Blacks, it was taken into consideration that, there is an issue with health care insurance status, age, sex, income, and also education, after considering all of these issues, the differences still continued, what was also examined was racial or ethnic health differences in care for depression, patients’ views of Medicaid managed care, treatment, of prostate cancer, mammography screening rates, Medicare expenditures
Hospital-acquired infections are preventable and preventing them is straightforward: a code of cleanliness. Hands should be cleaned frequently with an anti-bacterial soap for at least 30 seconds. Gowns, masks and gloves should be worn frequently so that pathogens aren’t transmitted to the patient during treatment. Moreover, when moving a patient, the patient should wear a mask and should be moved only when necessary (Isolation Precaution Guidelines for Hospitals n.d.). People go to the hospital in order to get better from whatever ailment is troubling them.
. A nurse’s perceptions about quality of life and health promotion could affect the care of a dying patient with a lingering illness, such as cancer. Nurses are patient advocates and it is their responsibility to respect patients’ wishes regardless of their personal opinion. A nurse may personally feel that a patient should use any and all medications available to them such as pain medication, etc. during a lingering illness.