Cultural Assessment – Chinese culture
Cultural Assessment – Chinese culture
The student will select a culture other than their own and design a paper using evidence based resources to address challenges
Use headings to help guide your reader through the sections of this paper.
- An introductory paragraph where you define the topic. Be sure the purpose of the paper clearly stated.
- Remember- in APA format the word “Introduction” is not a heading for the introductory paragraph.
- Define the chosen culture. What are the characteristics of the culture- health beliefs, food preferences, and religious guidelines?
- Significance of the topic – Provide examples of appropriate communication, how would the RN interact if there are language barriers, resources that would be included?
- Discuss two significant health issues that are prevalent within the chosen culture and what the priorities for health maintenance or promotion that need to be addressed.
- Summary paragraph will briefly recap the main points you raised.
- Be sure to cite your references.
- I am an African, any other culture will be fine
- I will also require an abstract.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Abstract
The Chinese culture is one of the most ancient, diverse and sophisticated cultures of the world. The modern-day culture in China is an integration of the westernized lifestyle and old-world traditions, which co-exist in a balanced formula. The culture is ethically ambiguous with various minority groups including the Han, Manchus, Mongols, and Hezhen. The diversity in their languages, cuisines, celebrations, and artistic practices makes the culture different from the western culture. Health practices are constructed against an environment of regular social interactions and negotiations where allegiance to social identity, norms, and cultural traditions play a significant role. Major health conditions affecting this community include respiratory disorders, cancer and dental diseases.
Cultural Assessment
Different cultures vary in their systems of health beliefs and values concerning illness and methods of treatment. Western societies such as America view disease as natural scientific phenomena and therefore advocate for medical treatment that fights microorganisms. Other societies, like the Chinese, believe that illness is a result of supernatural phenomena that can be treated through spiritual intervention or using cultural herbs. Some are therefore reluctant to accept a diagnosis of various diseases such as mental retardation. For most Chinese, going for health counseling involves self-disclosure, and this goes against their values. Moreover, cultural values influence patients’ role in managing their health and the decision-making process concerning treatment.
Characteristics of the Chinese culture
Various cultural influences guide the health behaviors of the Chinese community. Health practices are constructed against an environment of regular social interactions and negotiations where allegiance to social identity, norms, and cultural traditions play a significant role. Therefore, beliefs regarding health express psychological factors that shape the choices made about health-related behavior and practices. Chinese beliefs on illness and health are based on a theory of balance and energy flow. Diet, for example, plays a crucial role in treating illnesses and, sometimes, various dietary prescriptions are used as self-medication. Pregnant women, for instance, should not eat cold fruits such as bananas, to avoid miscarriage. Some take herbal drinks that protect the pregnancy and remove toxins from the womb and ensure a healthy baby.
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The doctors use various traditional Chinese medicines such as herbs, acupuncture, meditation, Tui Na massage, and food to recover and sustain health. Herbs are used in regulating natural body balance and health restoration. The herbs come in the form of powders, pills, or balms for external use. Acupuncture, on the other hand, involves inserting needles into the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscles at particular acupuncture points and manipulating them. Tui Na is used for treating chronic pain musculoskeletal conditions. Also, the Chinese nutrition is considered the first line of defense in health matters. A balanced diet includes the five tastes – sour, spicy, sweet, bitter, and salty. The tastes are necessary for providing strength, cooling and warming the body.
Cultural Assessment – Chinese culture
Barriers to receiving quality care
Most health care professionals expect that patients will conform to mainstream values and this has created barriers for cultural groups such as Chinese to receive healthcare. The various barriers include; “face-saving,” use of cultural herbs and lack of trust for healthcare providers. Face-Saving is a strong concept in the Chinese culture. Patients avoid looking weak or foolish and they, therefore, avoid being vocal with healthcare providers concerning their health issues. Also, Most of them prefer using alternative and complementary medicine such as herbs, acupuncture, and massage. Moreover, some patients do not fully trust nurses and the with hold relevant information concerning their health. Chinese also believe in karma, and according to them, it is bad luck to talk about death or illness.
Chinese residents in New York encounter countless socioeconomic problems and are faced with high disease dominance and poor health standards. Respiratory disorders, cancer and dental diseases are prevalent among the Chinese community. Structural factors, such as, affordability, accessibility, and service availability including health insurance, lack of finances, and cultural factors such as health beliefs and proficiency of the English language cause healthcare disparities. Additionally, barriers in the health system may prevent Chinese population from obtaining appropriate health care.
Cultural Assessment – Chinese culture
Summary
Healthcare providers should be aware of the important Chinese cultural beliefs. A poor understanding of cultural differences may lead to adverse clinical outcomes such as the use of harmful remedies, delayed immunization, non-compliance and reduced participation. Due to this, health disparities among members of this group are evident. The firm belief in traditional healing practices prevents the Chinese from seeking further medication. Some of the curing approaches used by this community, such as massage, may be too expensive. Patients, especially those not covered by insurance, suffer from an easily curable disease due to inadequate knowledge on alternative and affordable medical care. The lack of understanding has led to high mortality and morbidity rate. Nurses should combine cultural information with clinical assessment of the patient to provide culturally sensitive care.
References
Ch’en, J. (2018). China and the West: society and culture, 1815-1937. Routledge.
Wang, Y. K. (2010). Harmony and war: Confucian culture and Chinese power politics.
Columbia University Press.
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