Monday, July 18, 2011

Cultural Competency and Medical Practice in US: Hindu case

My journey in India was foremost to volunteer by providing the expertise I have learnt so far. Accessorily to that, it was also for me  to implement a survey of Hindu culture (Religion) in regard to health care provision. This will help me provide an appropriate care to any Hindu patients based on their culture hereas religion.
My entire work cannot be shared here as requested by my director. So, I will just give few observations.
It is known that some animals such as cow and pork are sacred in Hindu's faith, any Hindu will refrain eating its meat; which is full of protein. Knowing this, a health care provider (HCP) has to refrain to provide this source of protein to a Hindu's patient. An alternative to this will be to provide him/her with bean, rice milk or soy milk. The health care provider can request the Indian's family to cook for their sick relative. Just make sure that the meal is not AMA (Against Medical Advice).
I recall one Hindu telling me that a leftover (or tamasic in Hindu) is considered tainted with bad spirit, thus eating it will keep your mind, spirit and body unclean. This can be seen in people with anger, jealousy, and greed. My thought is that in face of a psychiatric patient of Hindu's faith, a HCP should not provide leftovers from last day, even from few hours ago so, not to exhacerbate the psychological condition of the patient. Instead of leftover, rajasic (foods condusive to healthy mind) should be given. These are, among other: fish, onions, hot peppers, etc. Another alternative is to provide what they call sattvic which are foods non-GI (Gastro-Intestinal) irritating and purifying to the mind. Among these we find fruits, nuts, whole grains and vegetables.
This survey has shown that, any health related decision is taken by the breadwinner herein the father or husband. An HCP has to know that in front of a female patient, he has to refer to her husband to conduct any procedure that needs consent. The same cultural fact is seen in Hispanic culture.
Hindu are known for fasting a lot. This practice according to Hindu's faith helps the body, mind and spirit rid off negative spirits and reinforce their closeness to their god. This can be done regardless of the health condition of the believer ( healthy or not). I have been informed that, for a sick patient, the fasting is a request send to their god to cure him/her from his disease. If this happens, an HCP has to provide medical advices so that the patient can make an informed decision about his/her condition.
Knowing such cultural facts will help us provide a more culturally competent care in USA, the most diverse country in the World. Also it is a way of bringing medicine to the patient in regard to his Culture(traditon, religion, language, convictions, etc). Health Care system are geographically closer to patients such as Hospital and  Nursing Homes in the residential areas, urban and rural ones. So, it is time to bring it to every patient's Culture in other words to tailor the health care provision to every individual. This will take time, ressources to meet this goal. And, it is a never-ending task since individuals are always changing in their life-time.

1 comment:

  1. It is a very nice approach. I think it will help people to recover more quickly or more efficiently because they will simply feel more safe & secure, more confident that their beliefs are taken in consideration by the health system. So it has a great psychological impact for sure & that had in the past, and will have in the future a great role to play in the process of healing.
    Cheers !!!

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