Voicing Health Concerns in Alignment with Values

Introduction

• Discusses challenges faced by immigrants in communicating health concerns.
• Personal story of an immigrant mother from the Philippines dealing with her child’s illness.

Challenges Faced

• Language and Communication Barriers:
  • Immigrant mothers often face difficulties understanding medical language.
  • Rely heavily on doctors’ advice due to lack of understanding.
• Cultural Differences:
  • Different approaches to medicine (e.g., holistic vs. modern medicine).
  • Importance of cultural beliefs and practices in health care decisions.

Personal Story

• Family Background:
  • Immigrant mother with a large family, multiple children with health conditions.
  • Experience with hospitals and doctors was overwhelming.
• Critical Health Incident:
  • At 14, a personal critical health incident led to a hospital visit.
  • Parents were initially told to say goodbye, indicating a severe prognosis.
  • Mother followed physicians’ directions due to trust and lack of experience with Western medicine.

Coping Mechanisms

• Integration of Cultural Practices:
  • Family sought alternative treatments (e.g., prayer, acupuncture).
  • Importance of including spiritual and cultural practices in treatment.
• Role of Holistic Medicine:
  • Primary physician’s holistic approach was beneficial.

Importance of Communication

• Breaking Down Barriers:
  • Highlighted the need for honest communication between patients and healthcare providers.
  • Importance of understanding and respecting cultural beliefs in healthcare.
• Aligning Health Care with Values:
  • Staying true to personal and cultural beliefs while seeking beneficial care.
  • Ensuring that healthcare aligns with one's cultural and core values.

Conclusion

• Culture plays a crucial role in healthcare decisions.
• Emphasizes the need to maintain core values while pursuing effective health care.
• Encourages open dialogue and understanding to bridge cultural gaps in medicine.