Culture Considerations

Cultural Considerations

HCA/230

May 26, 2012

Chong Daleiden

A natural part of everyone’s life is their health. In a lifetime everybody is going to experience different types of illnesses and injuries that require medical attention. Different cultures and people treat illnesses differently. I realize as an American, we are taught that when we have a medical problem or illness that we should immediately seek medical attention regardless of the sex of our healthcare providers. In many different countries gender and religion interfere with the way the healthcare provider’s services or treatments are rendered.

Cross- cultural communication exists when people from different cultures have reached a certain degree of understanding regarding their differences. In order for understanding to take place, both parties must have some form of knowledge or awareness regarding the norms or customs that exists in each other’s cultures. For successful communication to take place, background knowledge concerning values, norms, and perceptions is necessary in order for clear, effective communication to take place.

Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have very strong restrictions about the way women are allowed to receive healthcare. Their beliefs are very different than our American views which could become a barrier affecting the communication process with their American healthcare providers, as well as, the quality of healthcare that they receive. Muslim women prefer to have same gender doctors and nurses in order to follow rules of modesty in regard to the opposite sex. Related to this, Muslim women cover their head and body in various Islamic coverings called Hijab (that...