Integration of Native American healing and Western medicine is crucial in the medical environment in order to provide culturally competent care. Cultural competence in health care describes “the ability to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors, including tailoring health care delivery to meet patients’ social, cultural and linguistic needs” (becoming a cuCITATION). Health care organizations that maintain this cultural competency have improved health outcomes, increased respect and mutual understanding from patients, as well as an increased participation from the local community (SAME CITATION). In order to ensure culturally competent care to a Native American patient, a health care provider may incorporate strategies
…show more content…
First, maximizing diversity in the medical environment is a key component to achieving organizational cultural competence. Diversity in the workplace can be obtained through hiring and promoting minority health care workers. Moreover, health care organizations need to establish or strengthen any existing programs aimed at minority leadership development. Furthermore, health care providers should gather information regarding patient language preferences and ensure that patients have access to workers who speak their language in hopes of providing comfort through giving them the ability to speak in their native tongue. In addition, medical providers must be informed about cultural factors that influence people’s health beliefs and behaviors, and they must be provided with the tools they need to successfully serve a multicultural patient community. This knowledge can be obtained through training, case study review, live interactions with patients, role-playing, and continuing education health care videos. Most importantly, medical providers must maintain a curiosity about each patient, regardless of how much they may know about the patient’s culture. Learning more about the patient’s individual story and perspective is crucial, as well as remaining open to patient’s questions about the health care provider. An open dialogue between medical …show more content…
For example, knowledge within traditional practices in the “use of plant and animal species as medicinal aides” ought to be considered (citation). Western medical providers could seek out traditional healers for insights on their medicines, which could ultimately lead to broader medicinal applications of natural compounds. Plants and animals have been used for ingredients in various medicines since ancient times, and remain vital in modern medicines to this day. Coincidentally, of the 119 known plant-derived drugs utilized in Western medicine, 74% of these plants are utilized in traditional healing practices as well (citation). In addition to paving the way for potential new drug discoveries, traditional healing knowledge may also provide new approaches and lessons beneficial to public health. A trusting relationship between a physician and traditional healer would allow for an open dialogue regarding both traditional and conventional medical practices, allowing modern physicians the knowledge of valuable alternatives to relieve symptoms so that they can better inform their patients of options and treatment choices. Furthermore, Western medicine could take into consideration the indigenous focus of healing rather than simply curing. This can be accomplished
First, maximizing diversity in the medical environment is a key component to achieving organizational cultural competence. Diversity in the workplace can be obtained through hiring and promoting minority health care workers. Moreover, health care organizations need to establish or strengthen any existing programs aimed at minority leadership development. Furthermore, health care providers should gather information regarding patient language preferences and ensure that patients have access to workers who speak their language in hopes of providing comfort through giving them the ability to speak in their native tongue. In addition, medical providers must be informed about cultural factors that influence people’s health beliefs and behaviors, and they must be provided with the tools they need to successfully serve a multicultural patient community. This knowledge can be obtained through training, case study review, live interactions with patients, role-playing, and continuing education health care videos. Most importantly, medical providers must maintain a curiosity about each patient, regardless of how much they may know about the patient’s culture. Learning more about the patient’s individual story and perspective is crucial, as well as remaining open to patient’s questions about the health care provider. An open dialogue between medical …show more content…
For example, knowledge within traditional practices in the “use of plant and animal species as medicinal aides” ought to be considered (citation). Western medical providers could seek out traditional healers for insights on their medicines, which could ultimately lead to broader medicinal applications of natural compounds. Plants and animals have been used for ingredients in various medicines since ancient times, and remain vital in modern medicines to this day. Coincidentally, of the 119 known plant-derived drugs utilized in Western medicine, 74% of these plants are utilized in traditional healing practices as well (citation). In addition to paving the way for potential new drug discoveries, traditional healing knowledge may also provide new approaches and lessons beneficial to public health. A trusting relationship between a physician and traditional healer would allow for an open dialogue regarding both traditional and conventional medical practices, allowing modern physicians the knowledge of valuable alternatives to relieve symptoms so that they can better inform their patients of options and treatment choices. Furthermore, Western medicine could take into consideration the indigenous focus of healing rather than simply curing. This can be accomplished