Culture, Ethnicity, and Health Care Practices Essay

1. Identify two religious or centreual practices in which members of the Evans Family whitethorn engage for get bying hypertension, diabetes, and mental unwellness. In the text, the Evans family is introduced as an Afri earth-closet-American family, and members of the Baptist church. Members of this family clear been diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes, and mental illness, diseases that the family whitethorn attempt to overcompensate through religious of spiritual practices. Daily prayer may be a spiritual/religious practice rehearsed by the Evans family to treat the mentioned wellness conditions.African-Americans consider themselves spiritual worlds, and sickness is nonioned as a breakup between God and man (Purnell, 2003, p. 49). In an attempt to get close-hauled to God, daily prayer would be mooted as a positive facial expression to accomplish this, lessen the separation between themselves and God, to improve or nullify the sicknesses. God is viewed as the supreme h ealer, and the Evans family may also be asking God through prayer for healing to improve the illnesses, and redo their health. some other spiritual practice which may be employed by the Evans family to treat the hypertension, diabetes, and mental illness which they be experiencing involves the laying on of hands. African Americans may hold the belief that diseases can be cured when a person of faith gifted with special healing powers extend toes the afflicted person. This touch is usually accompanied by prayer. Sometimes, it is deald that the laying on of hands is mentation to free the person from all suffering and pain, and quite a little who still father pain argon considered to generate little faith (Purnell, 2003, p.50). It is important that the health sustenance provider be aw be of these spiritual practices, their potential fashion out on the health care plan, to provide heathenly competent care. 2. defecate two dietary health risks for African Americans. Typical diets for African Americans can echo the regional cuisine, but in that location are some provenders and theatrical roles of nutriments that are considered central to the diet. Salt pork, or fat back is a staple ingredient in many African Americans diet, and reflect the tendency of the diet to be actually high school in fat, cholesterol, and sodium.This type of diet is associated with high blood pressure, nerve center disease, stroke, and diabetes these conditions do occur at a higher prevalence in the African American population. another(prenominal) diet related health risk involves the tendency to view people of healthy body weight as being underweight and needing much meat on their bones (Purnell, 2003, p. 47). Even in infancy, it is a normal practice to avoid underfeeding by feeding newborn infants liquefied texture mixed with formula and given through a bottle.African Americans believe that giving only formula is starving the baby and that the infant postulate real food to sleep through the night (Purnell, 2003, p. 47). These views may channelize to a tendency to overeat, and be overweight, which is associated with the increased risks for the health conditions listed above. Health care providers can be in a position to give nutritional information, and recommend resources to assist patients to reduce dietary health risks, while maintaining the spirit of traditional cuisine. A magazine published by a health network directed at African Americans encourages healthier, culturally sensitive transforms Dr.Jones stresses that alimentation healthy doesnt mean having to give up favorite foods. It on the nose means preparing these dishes in a healthier fashion. That includes traditional favorites, like soul foodone of the oldest and richest cuisines in America. While its always been just for the soul, soul food is usually not so good for the heartBut soul food doesnt prolong to be bragging(a) for you. You can continue to enjoy your ages-old fami ly recipes in a new, health-conscious style by changing your cooking methods (Advocate Health Systems, 2007, p. 2). 3.What diachronic precedence is there for qualm of outsiders in Appalachia? People in Appalachia are characterized as having a misgiving of outsiders, and are practically unintentional to share their true thoughts and opinions with them. Part of the historic precedence that contributes to this dis hope centers on their prior dealings with authority in the form of the large mining and timber companies. The Appalachian people were use by having their land taken by these outside business interests, who hence subsequently attempted to control the behaviors of the workers for their ingest profits.There is a pixilated reliance on family and community individualism and self-reliant behavior, and reverences for family lineage are highly valued within this culture. Appalachia has been characterized by poverty and isolation, which can go forth in cultural lag. There h as historically been a limited door to education, as well as less of a valuing of higher education, with an idiom placed upon learning skills necessary to enter the traditional employment handle and earn a vivification. These factors encourage the continuing apprehension of outsiders.Communication styles reflect a general distrust and unease with outsiders. Materials or oral communication presented at a level that is beyond the understanding of the client may lead one to believe that the provider is stuck up or putt on airs and may add to a general feeling of distrust. Traditional Appalachians may value a large amount of person-to-person distance, direct eye contact, and may value silence. They are often unwilling to communicate true needs in an attempt to be polite.Because of historical inequities with interactions with authority figures, including outsider health care providers, traditional Appalachians may not respond well to teach or instruction that is perceived to be an order they may be much more receptive to hints and suggestions which chat up the clients opinions (Purnell, 2003, pp. 73, 74). Because of improved technology, transportation, educational and employment opportunities, and more scene to outside culture, traditional Appalachia may be changing, and the barriers and distrust of outsiders will be lessened.However, an Appalachian educator notes The mountains stand figured into all of it. The mountains kept us so isolated from the rest of the country and from other peoples involvement in our lives that we developed these characteristics We are very independent, we are very contented with the places that we live, we are very close to nature, we have a occult sense of a belief in God, and we have a fatheaded sense of being friendly and kind to one another and service of process one another, and taking care of everyone else in their needs.And we also have a strong sense of whats right and what ought to be and a kabbalistic mistrust of a nyone whos new, anyone whos a stranger. We dont trust change very well and we dont like change very well (Morgan, 2005, p. 1). 4. What evidence do you see of the moral principle of disinterest in this gaucherie study? The baptismal font study presents a view of the client by using her preferred terms, language, and presents her views in an objective manner. The model study seems to reflect the point of view of take to the woods Leona, and it respects her grotesque perspective. The author uses the words of the speaker to explain herreasons for doing things in a way that reflects aspects of the culture. For example, rather than state that Miss Leona may have difficulty course session medication instructions, the author includes the information that she was only educated through the third base grade, and states She admits not using the salve given to her by Dr. Adi because he told her to consent the salve according to the instructions on the jar (Purnell, 2003, p. 89). The aut hor does not assume any judgments relating to the health related behaviors of the people in the case study.Several elements that illustrate cultural domain concepts are objectively presented. The use of folk medicine is demonstrated, with no evaluation of the home remedies, including the application of a bacon grease poultice to the leg wound. Similarly, the author presents Miss Leonas own explanations of her illnesses, including her statement that she has low blood, in a subjective manner. The ethic of neutrality is maintained through an objective account of her situation, as roll in the hay by the patient alone, within her unique perspective. 5. How might you help Miss Leona eat a more nutritious diet?In the case study, the elderly Miss Leona reveals that she has been diagnosed with a heart disease, which her mendelevium attributes to a high fat diet. She believes that her heart problem is instead related to the recent end of her husband, establish in part on the timing of the diagnosis. She has expressed her dissatisfaction with the physician who has diagnosed this condition, because he did not communicate adequately during the visit. Miss Leona reveals that her diet is mainly high fat meat, dairy, and simple starches she doesnt mention fruits or veget suitables at all.These foods are easy for her to prepare, and readily available. She demonstrates the difficulty in bringing food to her home, because she has to walk up a steep grade and a pedestrian bridge to get to her home. She does rely on others to bring her groceries at times, but subscribe tos it extend that she values self reliance. In accordance with traditional Appalachian cultural values, Miss Leona would more or less believably not respond well to being told directly which foods that she needs to eat to stay healthy.Rather, a practician would have to engage her in more of an indirect chat that would show association of Miss Leonas unique situation, and respect her likes and dislikes, a nd her need for ease of food preparation. The practitioner would also have to address the issue of being able to accept assistance needed to even bring healthy foods into her home, since there are physical barriers present that make carrying heavy groceries up a steep incline, especially with an infected leg wound, and a heart condition, impossible.The practitioner would need to provide the appropriate support needed to help make food choices that Miss Leona would be able to prepare, and enjoy. 6. Describe two restrict views that African Americans may have intimately motherhood. Taboos are practices that if done, are likely to result in harm overture to the mother, unborn child, or twain in the case of motherhood-related taboos. There are a few pregnancy taboos regarding photographs that African Americans might have, according to the text. There is the belief that gravid women should not take photographs, or they may cause the baby to be stillborn.Another cultural belief that may be shared is that a pregnant woman should not have their picture taken, because it captures their soul. There is also a taboo that involves the dangers of purchasing clothing or other items for an unborn baby. This is give tongue to to be bad luck for the baby and mother. Baby items are purchased subsequently the child is born to avoid causing harm to or mishap to the mother or her child. Pregnancy taboos views may be held by African Americans, in addition to other prescriptive and restrictive practices regarding childbearing.The realities of pregnancy are related to many factors. African American women usually respond to pregnancy in the same manner as other ethnic groups, based on their satisfaction with self, economic status, and career goals (Purnell, 2003, p. 48). 7. Identify and discuss views that Dorothy and her parents may have about mental illness and medication. In the case study, Dorothy is a 42 year old African American woman living with her parents who takes medi cation for a diagnosed of bipolar disorder. African Americans have variations in medicine metabolism, particularly of psychotropic medications.They show higher blood levels, experience a faster therapeutic response, and are at more risk for medicate side effects. Health care professional personal beliefs may about a specific ethnic group may account of how the medicate is prescribed, and African Americans are at a higher risk of misdiagnosis for psychiatric disorders and ,therefore, may be treated inappropriately with drugs (Purnell, 2003, p. 48). The Evans family may have seen these medications misapply in family members or friends, and may have some negative view regarding the treatment of mentalillness. In African American culture, there is a tendency to use medication on an as needed base when an illness improves, and the person feels better, she may stop taking the medication. This practice could be very detrimental to medication therapy for bipolar disorder. If Dorothy and her family engage in this practice, she would most likely not have had good responses to medication. Dorothy and her family may therefore have a negative view of the medications effectiveness.African Americans often attach a stigma to mental illness, especially since there tends to be a high frequency of misdiagnosis of psychiatric disorders, leading to a distrust of mental health professionals (Purnell, 2003, p. 50). The Evans are a religious family, and they may have prayed and attempted to achieve spiritual healing for Dorothy. When the illness persisted, they may have judged Dorothy as not being faithful enough to receiving healing. With these cultural factors coming in to play, there is a high probability that Dorothys illness presents a great challenge within the Evans family.References Advocate Health Systems (2007). How to make your family recipes heart healthy. Advocate Magazine 3(24). Retrieved 6/12/07, from http//www. advocatehealth. com/trin/info/ program library/ham/wi n00/trin1. html? fitness Morgan, K. (2005). westmost Virginias Appalachian culture. due west Virginias Appalachian Music and Literature Resources. Retrieved 6/12/07, from http//www. ferrum. edu/applit/studyg/West/htm/wvcultur. htm . Purnell, L. (2003). Transcultural healthcare a culturally competent approach. Philadelphia F. A. Davis Company.