The book The Scalpel and the Silver Bear, describes Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord’s developmental journey as a physician (Alvord & Van Pelt, 2000). Throughout the novel, Dr. Alvord integrates her Navajo beliefs, experiences, values, and behaviors into descriptive interpretations of various life events. Growing up she lived on a Native American reservation, surrounded by people who share the same values, morals, and beliefs. Later, Dr. Alvord attended Dartmouth College and subsequently Stanford University School of Medicine. At both schools, for her, the curriculum was more than academically challenging—it was emotionally and culturally challenging. She was immersed in a predominantly white culture, and experienced cultural marginalization. When she
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Using active listening can help to learn about another’s culture. Active listening is necessary in order to extrapolate the necessary information regarding cultural customs, beliefs, and boundaries so a provider can accommodate patients accordingly (Drench et al., 2012). In the book, Dr. Alvord walked into an exam room to tend to a sick patient to find both the patient’s mother and grandmother beside her. Immediately, judging based on non-verbal cues and knowledge of cultural customs, Dr. Alvord knew that the grandmother was in charge of treatment decisions (Alvord & Van Pelt, 2000). She was aware of the high status and respect demanded of grandmothers in their culture. Additionally, Dr. Alvord knew that disregarding this cultural value could cause the grandmother to feel disrespected, causing her to take the patient out of the hospital (Drench et al., 2012). Consequently, the patient would not get the life-saving care she needed. As a result, Dr. Alvord provided the grandmother with the treatment options and waited for her approval to begin …show more content…
Alvord’s methods for demonstrating cultural competence are powerful and effective. They aim to treat patients to lead a balanced life, as respect for cultural differences aids in preventing an imbalance among the mind, body, and soul (Alvord & Van Pelt, 2000). In our progressively diverse society, reduction of ethnocentric thinking could vastly improve public health, as patients would be treated as the unique individuals they are. In implementing effective communication, providers can utilize active listening to learn more about the cultural desires and boundaries of the patient. Providers can subsequently show respect for the culture and build the trust of the patient. Supplementing mainstream medical treatments with nontraditional medical treatments can demonstrate understanding and respect for the patient as well. As Dr. Alvord discovered, all of the aforementioned factors strengthen patient-provider relationships through cultural competence, in turn positively impacting patient outcomes and adherence to treatment. As a Navajo, Dr. Alvord’s background was similar to most of her patients, which allowed her to easily gain their trust and demonstrate cultural competence. Her environment gave her an advantage that providers working with patients from cultures different from their own may not have. Nevertheless, Dr. Alvord’s insights would be beneficial for any future, or currently licensed,
Using active listening can help to learn about another’s culture. Active listening is necessary in order to extrapolate the necessary information regarding cultural customs, beliefs, and boundaries so a provider can accommodate patients accordingly (Drench et al., 2012). In the book, Dr. Alvord walked into an exam room to tend to a sick patient to find both the patient’s mother and grandmother beside her. Immediately, judging based on non-verbal cues and knowledge of cultural customs, Dr. Alvord knew that the grandmother was in charge of treatment decisions (Alvord & Van Pelt, 2000). She was aware of the high status and respect demanded of grandmothers in their culture. Additionally, Dr. Alvord knew that disregarding this cultural value could cause the grandmother to feel disrespected, causing her to take the patient out of the hospital (Drench et al., 2012). Consequently, the patient would not get the life-saving care she needed. As a result, Dr. Alvord provided the grandmother with the treatment options and waited for her approval to begin …show more content…
Alvord’s methods for demonstrating cultural competence are powerful and effective. They aim to treat patients to lead a balanced life, as respect for cultural differences aids in preventing an imbalance among the mind, body, and soul (Alvord & Van Pelt, 2000). In our progressively diverse society, reduction of ethnocentric thinking could vastly improve public health, as patients would be treated as the unique individuals they are. In implementing effective communication, providers can utilize active listening to learn more about the cultural desires and boundaries of the patient. Providers can subsequently show respect for the culture and build the trust of the patient. Supplementing mainstream medical treatments with nontraditional medical treatments can demonstrate understanding and respect for the patient as well. As Dr. Alvord discovered, all of the aforementioned factors strengthen patient-provider relationships through cultural competence, in turn positively impacting patient outcomes and adherence to treatment. As a Navajo, Dr. Alvord’s background was similar to most of her patients, which allowed her to easily gain their trust and demonstrate cultural competence. Her environment gave her an advantage that providers working with patients from cultures different from their own may not have. Nevertheless, Dr. Alvord’s insights would be beneficial for any future, or currently licensed,