Case File & Interview
Norma Valdez-Rosa
South University Online
Complementary & Alternative Methods
“There is an Indian proverb that says that everyone is a house with four rooms; a physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual.
Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time but unless we go into every room every day, even if only to keep it aired, we are not a complete person.”
~Rumer Godden
Case File For this assignment, I chose to interview a family member and compile a case file.
Initials: ALV
Age: 83 years old, Hispanic female
Health status (past and present): Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Hypothyroid, CHF
Present concerns: Blood glucose levels go from really high one day to really low the next
Coping patterns (past and present): Praying the rosary daily, sewing, visiting with family
Healing beliefs: Follows the traditional Hispanic culture health beliefs and healing practices of home remedies with herbs and teas before seeing the doctors and taking prescribed medications
Health values: To be able to take care of myself, for example: bathing, dressing, taking my medications and feeding myself
Social support: My children, my siblings and lots of friends
Religious/spiritual practices: Catholic, attends church every Sunday and prays the rosary daily
Personal Health goals: same as my Health values, I don’t want to be a burden to my family
Introduction
Knowing the patient as a whole person, not only a disease will
It is well known that the United States is made up of several different cultures and the health care system delivers care to a very diverse population. However, depending on ones culture-receiving care may be a challenge at times. In this paper we are going to take a closer look at the culture of Hispanic Americans. The Hispanic population has grown to over 55 million residents with in the United States in 2015, with an estimated growth rate of 2.1% per year (Krogstad & Lopez, 2015). Making this minority group on of the fastest growing populations within the United States (DeNisco & Barker, 2016).
It is important to keep in mind that the Mexican culture is in harmony with Mother Nature and the environment; so if possible keeping with natural or all herbal remedies will be a better solution than traditional medicine. Also they are a very collectivism culture so if they want a family member or some other friend in during a session or during healing let them, it might help them through the experience. Finally it is important to remember that the Mexican culture is very religious and spiritual, that is why a curandera and other spiritual healing options are good to suggest to your
These religious and spiritual influences play a major role in the Hispanics health, illness and daily life. In much a similar manner, the Native American Indian family adopts the cultural beliefs to associate with illness and health. They believe that a person’s state of exists when he or she exists in harmony with nature and sickness occurs when an imbalance between the natural or supernatural forces and the sick individual exists (Askim-Lovseth & Aldana, 2010). Traditional health believes and practices involving healing ceremonies and rituals restore balance when illness happens. “These can be conducted by their traditional medicine men or women, who are thought to have compelling powers, the ability to read minds, and know-how in concocting medicine, drugs and poisons.” For the white young family, the cultural belief of invincibility and youth are the driving force behind health prevention (Askim-Lovseth & Aldana, 2010). “Focus on the temporary is regularised, while thinking about health is assigned to an adult person where family accountabilities pertain.” Protecting against illness or disease does not feature into their daily lives. Disease or illness is something that is insubstantial and distant, and unimaginable to their young, resilient bodies and thus irrelevant (Edelman & Mandle, 2010).
In the Hispanic culture health care is most commonly sought only after symptoms appear. In many cases only when those symptoms cause the individual’s incapacitation. Working through discomfort is considered the norm, dwelling on discomfort or mild pain is seen as weakness and seeking medical attention when not ill, such as preventive care, is almost unheard of.
It is essential when entering health care as a professional nurse to realize that health care workers, doctors, nurses, and other health care providers, form their own culture with their own beliefs and attitudes about the care that’s delivered and the patients whom they serve. Because there are significant barriers to health care for Hispanics, particularly those that are Mexican-American, in order to provide culturally competent care, the professional nurse must implement effective communication, convey respect to the patient, and take a thorough health history from each patient. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the background of the Mexican-American Hispanic patient, compare and contrast their culture to the culture of those that work in health care in the United States, and recommendations for the professional nurse using Purnell’s Cultural Theory for support and a reflection on Wellness Day for Health Promotion focusing on Hispanic heritage including Curanderismo.
Cultural, traditional, and religious values have an influence on health patterns and behaviors exhibited by the community. Hispanic culture is dominant due to the close proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. Fifty-two percent of households use a language other than English at home (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015). Therefore, an understanding of Hispanic culture is necessary for health care workers to effectively care for patients in this community.
The Heritage Assessment Tool can be used as as a reliable tool to assess, health maintenance, protection and restoration of individual cultural beliefs. This evaluation helps meet the needs of different patient populations to provide quality holistic care. The purpose of this paper is to explore the Hispanic, Native American, Chinese, and the author’s own personal
Mexican culture is encompassed very closely as a family. When a family member is ill the whole family comes together to care for the individual. The mother of the family traditionally makes healthcare decisions. Health risks commonly associated within the Mexican heritage are alcohol consumption, smoking, disinclined to practice seat belts or helmets and common safe sex condom practices (Purnell, p.295. 2009). Genetic health conditions connected to the Mexican culture pertain to lactase deficiency, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and hypertension (Purnell, p.294. 2009). Four accompanied Mexican cultural illnesses involve, “Empacho (blocked intestines), Mal de ojo (evil eye), Caida de mollera (fallen fontanel), and Susto (magical
Curanderismo is an important and the supernatural healing system, and failure to recognize this fact, creates lots of obstacles for patients. The Latino culture and its relationship to sickness, health, and healing is perceived with great importance, and illness can be natural or not natural, usually caused by offending the spirits in the supernatural world. Since the
My interview was done with the Dente family. The family is an African family of five; father, mother, two boys and a girl. One of the children has an unspecified learning disability. They have been living in the United States for the past 10 years. They migrated from Ghana. In my paper, I will be discussing about the strength and challenges that the family faces as they take care of their son Jaden. I will also share information about how Jaden’s parent is able to work with other team members to support their son.
While working in the healthcare field you meet many different people throughout your day. You meet potentially thousands in any given year, and countless numbers over an entire career. These people may be your patients, their families, friends, or even just a stranger in the hallway. Having an understanding that we are all different and come from different backgrounds and beliefs is imperative to providing the best care for our patients. To these people their beliefs are just as important to them as ours are to us. My church works heavily in Jinotega, Nicaragua and local communities surrounding. Because of our involvement there I have chosen to write about Latino culture. According to Bryan Reeves, a member of my church who has visited Nicaragua numerous times, “A person with any formal Western medical training is a huge asset down there.” I have hopes of someday visiting this area of the world and help provide care for these people.
As an African-American female who finds it difficult understanding Latino cultures, it is imperative that I strive to gain awareness and knowledge of Latino beliefs values and customs in order to develop culturally appropriate assessments and make use of appropriate intervention strategies and counseling
For my module 1 case, I am tasked to review the case of Lanesha Johnsons and answer the following questions; from a cultural perspective, is it unusual that Grandmother Marietta is the primary caregiver? Discuss the ways in which Lanesha, Grandma Marietta, and Hannah Healthcare approach this situation from totally different perspectives. How does Lanesha 's temperament affect the situation? What responsibilities do health care providers have in this situation? The case regarding Lanesha Johnson is both frustrating and eye opening, because it seems that the resolution to this case is so easy, but when you look at it through the lens of cultural barriers, the situation because much more murky. Let’s address the first barrier, Marietta as the primary caregiver.
“Individual values, beliefs, and behaviors about health and well-being are shaped by various factors such as race, ethnicity, nationality, language, gender, socioeconomic status, physical and mental
Values often use modified methods and styles; I have utilized these different ethics in my career, which has aided me in improving, the environment at work and in my life. Having these particular skills of approaching situations causes an optimistic environment, respect for others, honesty, and reliable outcomes. I have had the comfort of knowing whether, you’re working or at home or out in public, individuals appreciate this kind of merit. These values cause high points in your character with families, patients and your colleagues. Real richness comes from knowing you’re assisting patients with top-quality care, and these goals are obtainable. Identification of these values prepares an