Cultural differences in approach to medicine., Summaries of Nursing

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Chinese Cultural Norms and Differences in American Medicine Allen Luo Nursing AAS, New York City College of Technology NUR 2110 Section D Professor Camille Phaire-Morton February 28th, 2023

The role of a Nurse is often mistaken as a position that solely provides care through physical means, whether it is providing life-saving medication, changing dressings, or conducting therapeutic techniques to ensure the recovery or wellness of the patient. For those unfamiliar with a healthcare setting, this misconception is often shattered when they encounter a Nurse for the first time. The role of a Nurse is all-encompassing. Patient-centered care refers to the many tenets of health, which include spirituality, cultural sensitivity, respect for one's orientation, and lifestyle choices. Spirituality and culture are key tenets in healing and recovery. Carrying a positive outlook and having faith in culture or religion, have been proven effective in not only healing but also preparing those who are terminally ill, for death. The world is diverse and comprises many cultures and religions. To ensure that patients receive the best care possible, Nurses must maintain a high level of cultural and spiritual awareness, regardless of their own backgrounds. The Asian population in New York City is one of the highest in the United States. Asian culture contains a deep footprint and is one of the premier cultural centers in New York City. Although Asian culture is beautiful and vast, unfortunately, this can present challenges in healthcare. Asian culture varies greatly based on ethnicity and religion. Asians hail from many regions including China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and many other cultures, each unique with its own set of cultural beliefs. As a Nursing student and an Asian-American with generational roots in China, I can attest to the differences in how our people interpret healthcare and how we interact with healthcare in America. Chinese Americans are more likely to avoid hospitals and doctors, aside from regular annual check-ups and life-threatening situations. The approach to medicine in Chinese culture relies heavily on holistic treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, and herbal remedies. These treatments' popularity has also breached western culture,

population in Queens County stated that “Other than the importance of being buried whole, many Chinese and Koreans also reported general fear and disgust toward the organ procurement procedure and body disfigurement, which negatively impacted the willingness to donate. In addition, a belief of predetermined destiny and concerns about how organ donation interferes with traditional burial and death rituals also prevented many Chinese and Koreans from donating.” (Li et al., 2019). Healthcare providers should be culturally sensitive and provide families with the necessary resources during times of death to ensure a smooth transition. “One major problem with the idea of cultural competency is that it suggests culture can be reduced to a technical skill for which clinicians can be trained to develop expertise. This problem stems from how culture is defined in medicine, which contrasts strikingly with its current use in anthropology—the field in which the concept of culture originated.” (Kleinman & Benson, 2006). It is also pertinent that healthcare providers genuinely respect cultural norms. Receiving mandatory training on cultural sensitivity is not enough. Providers and caregivers must “buy in” to the idea that culture or religion is linear, and that respect and understanding of one's culture is an essential concept in a healthcare environment. In conclusion, cultural differences play a significant role in shaping the way the Chinese approach medical care in America. The traditional values of respect for elders, community- oriented thinking, and the importance of maintaining harmony and balance in the body and mind all influence the ways in which healthcare is approached in Chinese culture. Traditional Chinese Medicine, with its importance on holistic, personalized care and integrating various modalities, is still widely practiced alongside modern Western medicine. While there are many cultural differences in medical care between China and the West, efforts are being made to bridge these

gaps and promote greater understanding and collaboration in healthcare. It is important to recognize and respect cultural differences in medical care, and to work towards providing inclusive and culturally sensitive care that meets the needs of all patients.