Health Science and Medicine - Essay Example

The interviewee strongly believes that different cultural practices in different American cultures have a real impact on the outcomes of health in the US. These diverse cultures have different beliefs on the causes of illness and appropriate treatment. The interviewee in this case expressed his belief of diseases to be resulting from natural scientific phenomena. He further believes in the use of medical treatments to kill the causative microorganisms. He believes in the contribution of healthcare services to cure diseases. However, he expressed his knowledge about the cultures of other ethnic groups who on the other hand believe that illness is a result of supernatural phenomena attributing the cure to prayers and other supernatural interventions. The interviewee discussed the different cultural health beliefs and traditions held by different ethnic groups in the US that impact healthcare providence. He discussed the traditions held by Asian islanders about the importance of their extended families and the views of the oldest male in the family are highly regarded. They however believe in harmony and this leads them to agree to follow recommendations from health care providers not because they believe in it but simply to avoid disagreements.

The interviewee also talked about the cultures of the Russian immigrants in the US, who view US healthcare with a level of distrust since they view the relationship with medical practitioners as being authoritarian, therefore finding it difficult to openly discuss medical concerns with them. He talked about the Hispanics also, and he said that they hold great respect for older members of the family and have to consult them on matters that concern illness and health. Other Hispanics as revealed by the interviewee view illness as punishment from God and prefer using home remedies for treatment. He also talked about African- Americans whose culture considers the importance of church and family, holding kinship ties with aunts, cousins, grandparents, uncles, and even people who may not have a biological relationship with them but have a role in their family systems. They usually consult a key family member before making decisions related to health. The interviewee also talked about the cultural beliefs and traditions of Native Americans who place the values of health on spiritual beliefs and family. They believe that harmony with nature leads to good health, and illness as being as a result of an imbalance between supernatural forces and the person.

Interviewee’s expectations of the US healthcare system

The interviewee expressed his concern towards the cultural diversity in the US where every ethnic group expresses their values and beliefs to the healthcare system whereby in many cases these beliefs are different from the culture of American healthcare. The cultural differences from the interviewee’s perspective, affect the attitude of patients towards medical care. To resolve this therefore, the interviewee recognizes the importance of recognizing the cultural diversity in the US, agreeing to the fact that the US is a country of many cultures. He states his expectations that health care providers familiarize themselves with the cultural dynamics of various ethnic groups in the US using a generic approach to cultural assessment. He then believes that cultural negotiation should follow in order to come up with appropriate treatment procedures for all parties.