Introduction
Culture is one of the socio-medical factors that medical practitioners ought to consider when dealing with patients and professional caregivers (Giskin & Walsh, 2001). This is because religious values and traditions have been linked to disease acquisition and management as well as how health matters are handled in different parts of the world. In addition, culture determines how people choose health care systems and providers (Basavanthappa, 2004).
In the end, such considerations affect how nurses and other medical practitioners deal with different patients and health care professionals. In particular, the autonomy of a person’s culture such as the Chinese must be respected. Unsurprisingly, it is widely recognized that individuals have independent minds and can govern their actions (Giskin & Walsh, 2001). In many different ways, cultural elements of the Chinese influence how they think and respond to issues such as corrective health measures (Giskin & Walsh, 2001). Complex traditional values and norms including folklore medicine and belief systems play vital roles in the ways the Chinese perceive health and medical intervention practices (Basavanthappa, 2004).
To understand how cultural factors influence the manner in which nurses treat patients and how professionals should conduct their business in hospitals, it is imperative to consider the various tenets of culture in context.
Interview Questionnaire
This questionnaire is intended to help in the collection of information regarding various health care choices and cultural perceptions among the Chinese.
General Information
Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________________
Country of Birth _____________________________________________________________
Profession ________________________________________________________
Native Language _____________ Sub-culture _____________________
Sex;
- Female
- Male
Background
- Medical Position______________________
Knowledge and Importance of Culture
- In your own understanding, what is culture? __________________________________________________________________
- How important are health facilities to your family?
- Very important
- Partially important
- Not important
- a) Is the title with which you’re addressed important to you?
- Yes
- No
Please elaborate/explain, based on your answers in 2 (a) above ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- What are some of the causes of disability according to your native traditions (please list them)? _________________, ___________________, ________________
- How is physical contact perceived in your culture____________________
- What are some of the causes of disability according to your native traditions (please list them)? _________________, ___________________, ________________
- Do you have any particular rituals observed in your family? If yes, what are they (please list them)? ___________________,_________________________, ______________________
- What is the most celebrated holiday in your culture? ___________________
- Does you culture respect confidentiality in matters of health?
- Yes
- No
- What is one of the most-known health misconceptions of your culture? ____________________
- What is considered the most disrespectful habit in your culture? ___________________________
- Could you, please, list the considered causes of mental disorders in your culture? ________________, ___________________, _________________________________
- Are there gender-based stereotypes about seeking professional medical help in your culture? (Pleases list them)__________________, ______________________, __________________
- Does your culture take the issue of fulfilling a promise and integrity seriously?
- Yes
- No
- Have you ever felt discriminated against in a health care facility based on your culture?
- Yes
- No
- What is the most accepted/common mode of communication in your culture?
- Directly
- More directly
- Less directly
- How would you describe the nature of respect accorded to the elderly in your culture?
- Low
- Partial
- Very important
- Would comfortably initiate conversations in a place, such as hospitals, that you have never visited before?
- Yes
- No
- Have often do you seek the help of traditional healers when sick?
- Often
- All times
- Not at all
- How do you regard direct eye contact in your culture?
- Normal
- A sign of trust
- Intimidating
- How important is a religion to your family?
- Very important
- Important
- Partially important
- Not important
Thank you for your time.
Lesson Learnt
Based upon the interview questions and the responses of the professional interviewed, a number of lessons can be drawn. One, the respect for persons in any clinical situation relates to general life aspects. Just like many other cultures, dealing with a Chinese requires an observation of basic universal principles of treating individuals with dignity.
Two, the Chinese are heterogeneous. Different groups portray diverse linguistic, social, economic and political characteristics. Three, their cultural beliefs have notions on health, illness and disease acquisition processes. For instance, most Chinese perceive disability as caused by some mysterious circumstances. Those who suffer disability experience guilt linked to the notion that some curse or ancestral spirit may be the reason for their misfortunes. It seems, also, the Chinese are more comfortable with people who get injuries that lead to limiting ‘‘physicality’’ than those who suffer congenital or mental disorders (Basavanthappa, 2004). This reality implies that many Chinese still seek traditional healers to mitigate the effects of such conditions.
Three, communication barriers and the choice of health care providers require scrutiny. There are various cultural patterns that influence the decisions for the type of health care systems and measures that a Chinese may take. In retrospect, these factors should be considered by health practitioners when dealing with Chinese patients and professional caregivers (Basavanthappa, 2004). In many cases, the Chinese are shy especially when they are in ‘‘unusual’’ contexts. In this regard, a nurse dealing with a Chinese may consider using gentle and friendly greeting tones. Because of the level of respect that the Chinese accord the elderly, medical practitioners ought to address them as ‘’Mr.’’ or ‘‘Mrs.’’ When addressed this way, they are likely to feel comfortable and may choose to seek health services in the same facility. Moreover, most Chinese consider addressing the elderly by their first name disrespectful (Basavanthappa, 2004).
In addition, the Chinese tend to communicate differently from Americans. They communicate less ‘‘directly’’ and ‘‘assertively’’ (Giskin & Walsh, 2001). Their communication guidelines rely more on gestures, signs, eye messages and facial expressions. Some o these expressions signify different meanings in other societies such as America. For instance, while Americans use direct eye contact as a demonstration of trust and attentiveness, the Chinese perceive it as intimidating. For the Chinese, looking directly at an elderly person may be interpreted as a disrespectful gesture. These communication challenges have been used by the Chinese to choose where they seek health care.
Conclusion
Culture affects the behavioral trends and choices that people make in relation to health care services. The Chinese are no exception to this reality. In this regard, nurses should be vigilant when dealing with patients and professional health care providers from different cultural backgrounds. In dealing with the Chinese, understanding their culture and promoting measures such as the engagement of community organizations and conducting culture-based health campaigns are important indicators of socio-medical needs.
References
Basavanthappa, T. (2004). Fundamentals of nursing: Concepts, process, and practice. New York: Jaypee Brothers Publishers.
Giskin, H., & Walsh, B. (2001). An introduction to Chinese culture through the family. Albany: State University of New York Press.