The Case of Mohammad Kochi
Cultural Influences in the Dilemma
In the case study involving Mohammad Kochi, the patient is recommended to undergo chemotherapy to treat stomach cancer, but he denies it due to personal and religious reasons. An essential component of the dilemma is that Mohammad is concerned with the fact that the treatment does not guarantee a recovery but will make him weaker over time.
The patient’s doctor suggests that even though it is impossible to predict the treatment’s outcomes, if successful, it could improve Mohammad’s life significantly. Besides, he says that Islam suggests that God chooses how long a person lives, and one’s days cannot be “forced back” (Program in Public Health, 2015a).
The Role of Six Cultural Phenomena in Patient Health
Communication as a cultural phenomenon plays a crucial role in the case. At the doctors’ debriefing, it is mentioned that language is a significant barrier in such cases because a patient may not fully grasp the situation without a professional translator. Moreover, the situation with Mohammad’s daughter suggests a lapse in communication that should have been avoided. Time as a cultural phenomenon also plays a role in the case, mainly due to the idea in Islam of living “one day at a time” (Shoshana, 2020).
Mohammad felt that having a chemotherapy pump would significantly reduce his quality of life, including his ability to pray, because it is not allowed to have something injected into one’s body during prayer. Mentally and spiritually, the patient saw the pump as a limitation to his life. To conclude, the case shows that if the doctor had been more convincing initially and had given the patient all the information correctly, his decision could have been different.
The Case of Justine Chitsena
Cultural Influences in the Dilemma
In the case of Justine Chitsena, a Khmu-American girl diagnosed with an atrial septic defect, the main objective of the cardiologist was to ensure that the patient underwent open chest surgery that could solve the issue. The diagnosis means that the girl has a hole in the muscle wall of her heart, which could be sealed through surgery.
The central dilemma lies in Justine’s grandmother being opposed to the recommendations of the medical professionals by arguing that the girl appears healthy to her. She also says that a surgical scar after surgery, which the grandmother referred to as ‘mutilation,’ would affect Justine’s soul and remain with her in future lives (Program in Public Health, 2015b).
The Role of Six Cultural Phenomena in Patient Health
Environmental control plays a significant role in this case as it illustrates Justine’s grandmother’s desire to control the environment around her family according to her religious beliefs. Spiritually, she could not overcome her beliefs while also having to handle the complex surgery of her granddaughter mentally.
Another cultural phenomenon evident in the case is social organization, which is illustrated in the grandmother’s leadership role in the family. The video shows that the patient’s grandmother is seen as the primary decision-maker of the family and is the one who instills religious principles upon others. Interestingly, Justine’s mother listens not to the advice of medical professionals but to what her mother thinks about the treatment.
For example, even though the grandmother was told that not doing the surgery would shorten Justine’s life, she responded with something to the effect that it is better to live less time than to be ‘mutilated’ for all time. Instead of treating the girl medically, grandma planned a Lao temple ceremony to call on ancestors’ spirits, waiting for a ‘miracle.’ To conclude, the case shows the challenges that medical staff experience when persuading a family when there are risks of surgery and strong religious beliefs.
References
Shoshana, A. (2020). “I live one day at a time”: Future orientation among Muslim high school dropouts in Israel. Children and Youth Services Review, 119. Web.
Program in Public Health. (2015a). Muhammad Kochi [Video file]. Michigan State. Web.
Program in Public Health. (2015b). Justine’s story [Video file]. Michigan State University. Web.
Loading...
