Cultural Assessment to Members of One Culture Living in the US

Cultural Assessment to Members of One Culture Living in the US

Introduction

Cultural diversity in healthcare considers several needs of healthcare in the 21st century; it is essential to diversify the workforce in healthcare. In the health sector, cultural diversification plays a vital role in the provision of culturally competent health care. Moreover, it will increase the accessibility of health facilities to the underserved and the minority groups in society. In the United States, healthcare is unlike many other countries with a background comprising of diverse communities that have different ways of life. Despite the environment, the whites grow with a certain percentage, the Native American population, increases by a more significant rate than that of other people. With a growing ethnically diverse community, nurses must be sufficiently equipped for and able to work with patients in a way that identifies and respects their diversity.

This paper intends to explore cultural diversity in healthcare in Native Americans set up.

Native American Trans-Cultural Beliefs

Many languages were spoken before the first contact with the outsiders, especially the European colonizers, who extensively influenced the Native American styles. They established their forms while suppressing the usage of the indigenous languages. Currently, native tongues and English are significant among the Native Americans. When it comes to religion, the diversity of their faith may fill the whole library with the description of belief and explanations of spiritual ceremonies and practices. Many Natives have converted to other religions while incorporating their traditional methods into the modern religion. Most of the Native American spiritualties are polytheistic. End-of-life practice among Native Americans is perceived as transition and not an ending. Beliefs and rituals, however, are among are valued heterogeneous prospects of their religious life (“Native American Religion and Spirituality – Common Threads, Unique Beliefs, and Too Many Misconceptions,” 2019). They believe that after the end-of-life, some essences may be harmful to living in the absence of ceremonial protection.

Native Americans experience a high incidence of diabetes and obesity as a result of changing diet over the years. Furthermore, the violation of restricted practices is taken as a risky behavior among the Native Americans, where it is associated with some illness (“Native American Religion and Spirituality – Common Threads, Unique Beliefs, and Too Many Misconceptions,” 2019).

Native American Healthcare Behaviours

When it comes to healthcare behaviors, Native Americans believe in herbal and other botanical substances. These serve a standard mode of healing, which includes tea, salves, and tinctures (Rebecca and Wendy, 2018 ). For instance, they think that using barks from the willow tree relieves pain since it contains an active content of aspirin. Purification and cleansing of the body is another behavior. Here, they use special tea or sweat lodges to induce vomiting. Smudging is a practice used to alter the state of consciousness believed to come from angry spirits (Rebecca and Wendy, 2018 ). Other healthcare practices include meditation, the use of traditional therapists, and performing rituals. Familiarizing with these cultural components will equip healthcare facilities and practitioners with quality, culturally competent services for all patients (Rebecca and Wendy, 2018 ).

Native American Healthcare Challenges and Barriers

Native American healthcare experiences complex challenges due to the increased population. The shortage of medical officers is a common challenge in many rural areas among the Native American community (Whitney, 2017). Again there are added barriers in obtaining Medicaid coverage, which mostly affects them. Strong measures are required in place, focusing on the reduction of chronic-illness and bills defined explicitly. Other barriers include underfunding, discrimination, and lack of access to health care services (Whitney, 2017). Their outcome is increased death rates and inadequate healthcare services. Despite these challenges, some progress exists to cub diabetes, which is the leading kidney failure among Native Americans (Whitney, 2017).

Native American Increased Healthcare Accessibility

Access to quality healthcare services is crucial for maintaining health, reducing unnecessary disabilities, maintaining and preventing diseases, and premature death. Indeed, it will achieve health equality among Native Americans (Tom Peterson, n.d.). There are many ways in which health outcomes and access can be improved. Some of the strategies need support from the government, health sector management, and stakeholders. The use of IT systems includes the use of e-mail to respond to questions (Tom Peterson, n.d.). This is significant instead of patients visiting for a scheduled follow-up. Patients could report blood pressures or blood sugars via e-mai. Most of the patients see these as affordable and convenient. Again the use of mobile clinics to access the patient. These include clinics that offer preventive care services, primary care services, or even dental care services (Tom Peterson, n.d.). Their operation runs from a truck or a van equipped with requirements to provide clinical services there. Mobile clinics may operate in both rural and urban areas. A mobile clinic study known as Family Van indicated a significant reduction in costs as a result of using mobile clinics (Tom Peterson, n.d.).

Furthermore, healthcare access can be improved through teaming up with co-host pop-up clinics. These clinics are very significant, especially to those uninsured through offering quality and comprehensive healthcare (Tom Peterson, n.d.). Indeed, they connect them with those services that will assist them in managing their health in the future. Pop-up clinics rely much on volunteer clinicians in a short period. Among the Native Americans, such service is provided by RAM and NAFC in a short time frame (Tom Peterson, n.d.). The services are offered based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Conclusion

Lastly, The healthcare system within America reflects increasing numbers of cultural diversity. To understand cultural diversity, individuals must work to acknowledge the bias they may already have toward different cultures. Being culturally aware and knowledgeable is a must when working in any healthcare field. In our society today, we have an array of different cultures, and making patients feel comfortable and at ease is our primary goal. The intersected lives of Native Americans resulted in shared cultures that are evident in language, religious beliefs and practices, socioeconomic status, and dietary preferences. The intersect creates a shared dynamic and extensive pathways that communicate with each other. There is a syncopation of more cultures becoming higher than on their own.

References

Native American Religion and Spirituality – Common Threads, Unique Beliefs, and Too Many Misconceptions. (2019). Retrieved 21 March 2020, from https://www.powwows.com/native-american-religion-and-spirituality-common-threads-unique-beliefs-and-too-many-misconceptions/

Tom Peterson, M. 10 Ways Hospitals Can Improve Healthcare Access. Retrieved 22 March 2020, from https://stakeholderhealth.org/healthcare-access/

Rebecca A. Ferrer, Wendy Berry Mendes. (2018) Emotion, health decision making, and health behaviour. Psychology & Health 33:1, pages 1-16.

Whitney, E. (2017). Discrimination, Lack Of Access Are Barriers To Native American Healthcare. Retrieved 22 March 2020, fromhttps://www.mtpr.org/post/discrimination-lack-access-are-barriers-native-american-healthcare.