Evaluate how society and culture can influence the health of women, children, and families.
QUESTION
Evaluate how society and culture can influence the health of women, children, and families.
Evaluate how society and culture can influence the health of women, children, and families.
ANSWER
As a healthcare provider, you might not want to broach the subject of ethnic differences. However, it is an essential component of providing care to your patients. Culture has a significant impact on both diagnoses and treatment options, owing to differences in social beliefs but also to biological factors. To improve overall patient care, health care providers should be aware of the cultural influences listed below.
1. Community and Family
Everyone, especially in other countries, holds certain beliefs as a result of family and community influences. Asians and Pacific Islanders, for example, place a high value on extended family. Often, the honor and interests of the family take precedence over the interests of the individual. Understanding situations like this when providing health care can be extremely beneficial in providing appropriate treatment.
2. Spirituality
Religion is more than a hobby for the truly zealous. It’s a way of life, which can make traditional treatments more difficult. Because Jews, for example, abstain from certain foods due to their religion, there will be dietary preferences to consider when developing any type of nutritional plan. Others may believe that their illness is the result of a divine intervention and thus refuse treatment.
3. Death Perspectives
This is not a question about afterlife or funeral rituals, but if doctors truly want to connect with and help patients, they will benefit from understanding the patients’ and families’ perspectives on dying. They will need to understand how to handle end-of-life care and make the transition as painless as possible.
Gender Roles 4
Gender differences in attitudes toward medical treatment are common. Women, for example, may prefer less invasive treatments to improve their comfort. Similarly, gender roles within relationships can frequently obstruct treatment. One partner in the relationship may be dominant and believe it is his or her responsibility to make all decisions.
5. Health Opinions
Cultures frequently hold disparate views on health care in general. Caucasians, on average, have a lower pain tolerance than other ethnic groups and have higher expectations for physical recovery and receiving a prescription. Those with a Hispanic background, on the other hand, want immediate relief but are often less willing to trust American remedies.
6. Medication-Related Beliefs
As previously stated, Caucasians place a high value on prescription medication and modern treatments. As a result, they are far more likely to take their medications exactly as prescribed. Others, such as African Americans and Native Americans, may question the need for such medication and discontinue it prematurely.
7. Medication Reactions
One of the most important cultural influences is how a patient physically responds to medication. Some people from non-Caucasian backgrounds may not properly metabolize the medication, resulting in serious complications during treatment. Caucasian patients generally tolerate a broader range of medications than patients from other cultures.
Talking about these topics with your patients may be uncomfortable at first, but it could be the thing that saves your patient’s life and your career.
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Evaluate how society and culture can influence the health of women, children, and families.