Incorporation of cultural belief and practices in health care is vital in providing services that are wired to the needs of the patients. Genetics also play a role in the response of patients from specific cultural backgrounds to medications. Latinos form a significant percentage of America’s population, thus understanding their cultural beliefs is vital in providing health care that is suited to their lifestyle. Latinos in the US are reported to encounter problems while receiving services from health care facilities (Juckett, 2013, p. 48). The issues range from ignorance about their cultural beliefs to language barriers. These problems highlight the need for healthcare professionals to understand the cultural beliefs of Latin patients.
Cultural Background
The patient assessed in the last video is of Latino culture. Latinos are known to have a unique culture and cultural values. Latino culture places emphasis on respect or the values of respect (Juckett, 2013, p. 50). Age earns respect. Thus younger people are expected to show respect when addressing older people. Older patients will expect practitioners to treat them with respect. Latinos also value friendliness. Striking a personal relationship helps to build trust. Proximity while conversing is an indication of friendliness aids in building trust. The kindness of words and actions is welcoming to Latinos. While addressing Latino patients, kind words are preferable. Words that are not harsh but that may be perceived to be rude to the patient should be avoided. Extended families are common in Latino culture with established hierarchies from grandparents to children.
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Perception of Health
Studies have shown that culture has a considerable impact on quality health care through perceptions of health (Iwelunmor, Newsome, & Airhihenbuwa, 2014, p. 20). Latinos perceive excess body weight as a sign of good health (Juckett, 2013). This belief is seen as one of the major causes apart from genetics as the leading cause of the persistence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in people of Latino origin. Belief in folk healing is also rife in some communities. Herbal therapies are also common. A medical practitioner needs to understand the effect of these therapies and their compatibility with western medicine
Perception of Illness
Latinos’ view of illness is a combination of supernatural beliefs together with physical weakness. Illnesses are separated into cold and hot illness (Juckett, 2013, p. 51). The classification is based on the belief that hot illnesses can be cured cold therapies and vice versa. At times the diseases are classified according to natural and unnatural illnesses. Traditional beliefs were that some illnesses were brought about by evil forces while others were natural (Juckett, 2013, p. 52). For example, problematic child development may be attributed to evil instead of poor health. Thus, it is prudent for the healthcare professional to understand Latino cultural beliefs on illness and dispel erratic beliefs when assessing their patients.
Issue Presented
The primary issue presented in the video is the challenges that Latino patients through in the quest to access quality health care in the US. Despite the patient explaining his condition, the doctor is skeptical and is of the view that patient is drug seeking or in a hurry to resume normal activities after the operation. The disparity is due to the patient's Latino origin. The doctor’s failure to understand the culture and genetic impact of his patient's origin negatively affects his judgment on the issue thus compromising the quality of health care offered to the patient. Ignorance of the doctor on the impact of culture on health care results in poor service delivery to the Latino patient.
Ways to Overcome the Issue
Evidenced-based practices of overcoming cultural barriers in health care are appropriate for solving the issue addressed (Clough, Lee, & Chae, 2013). Hiring multicultural staff including practitioners of Latino origin will help in service delivery to Latino patients. The staff can share knowledge on the unique needs of Latino patients with their colleagues. Consequently, suspect cases can be forwarded to these practitioners for further assessment. Continuous education and assessment of cultural competence in health care help to eliminate disparities (Horevitz, Lawson, & Chow, 2013). Education imparts knowledge on the requirements of minority groups in health care, Latinos included. Thus, the quality of care given to patients like Rodrigues will improve.
Cultural Barriers in My Nursing Practice
The most interesting cultural barrier encountered in my nursing practice was with a Chinese woman who could barely communicate in English. Initially, she looked nervous and restless. Upon noticing her situation, I sought the help of a Chinese student who was an intern at the hospital. The first step was to instruct the intern to communicate with her in a friendly manner to build trust with us. Through interpretation, the patient was able to explain her problem accurately. I prescribed the correct therapy for the patient's condition. Two weeks after the initial visit, the patient returned and explained the effectiveness of the therapy to her condition.
In conclusion, cultural beliefs and practices have a significant influence on the quality of health care given to patients. Failure of the practitioner to understand the cultural background of the Latino patient compromised the quality of health care that the patient received. Latinos have unique perceptions of health and illness, sometimes relating health care and illness ton supernatural forces. Thus it is necessary that a nurse understands these cultural beliefs to give proper care. Evidence-based practices are useful in overcoming cultural barriers to health care. Like in the case of the Chinese patient, assessing the situation and deciding the correct course of action is vital to health care. Therefore, culture and health care are inseparable.
References
Clough, J., Lee, S., & Chae, D. H. (2013). Barriers to health care among Asian immigrants in the United States: a traditional review. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 24(1) , 384-395.
Horevitz, E., Lawson, J., & Chow, J. C. (2013). Examining cultural competence in health care: implications for social workers. Health & Social Work, 38(3) , 135-145.
Iwelunmor, J., Newsome, V., & Airhihenbuwa, C. O. (2014). Framing the impact of culture on health: a systematic review of the PEN-3 cultural model and its application in public health research and interventions. Ethnicity & Health, 19(1) , 20-46.
Juckett, G. (2013). Caring for Latino patients. Am erican Family Physician, 87(1) , 48-54.
