Cultural differences
I took the sexuality test and was surprised to note that I have a slight preference for gay people over straight people. Indeed, I described myself as a moderately liberal individual without any particular reservations about to whom people should be sexuality attracted. I believe that sexuality is complex and individuals should be free to choose their partners. However, I am straight and automatically assumed that the results would reflect this more. Even so, I think that the responses emanated from my empathy towards gay people who have been discriminated for long. I may have overcompensated for my guilt for being part of a heteronormative system. Hence, my of my responses were positive because I admire gay’s people’s resilience against the odds they face in such a hostile environment.
The case study involves a Native American patient with her family. The 29-year-old lady was experiencing pregnancy complications that required a delicate surgery to save her and the child. Doctors explained to the family that the procedure was fairly complex, and they were not sure if they could save the child. Consequently, the young lady and her family wanted to burn sage and perform some rituals right before her operation. They believed that it would facilitate wisdom and healing to make the surgery successful. However, the doctors were adamant and refused to pay attention to this request. They saw it as an unnecessary act that may further compromise care since the patient had already been prepared for surgery. One of the doctors even made a comment concerning her ignorance about the medical field.
Hence, the cultural differences in this case affected the quality of care for this patient since she was distressed. Various studies indicate that psychological stress can increase the patient’s recovery time after an operation. Additionally, anxious patients are more likely to experience heightened levels of pain and fail to cooperate with the doctors. For instance, they may not adhere to treatment regiments, increasing the chances of infections and readmissions. Therefore, the refusal to accommodate the patient’s requests could have led to anxiety that compromised care.
I believe in person-centered care that puts the patient at the very center of their diagnosis and treatment. Patients are autonomous beings with personal beliefs that must be heard and included in treatment if they are not harmful. Such accommodations can increase the patient’s confidence in the process and facilitate trust that is crucial to the patient and practitioner rapport. I also value the opinions of patients, their autonomy, and need to make informed choices. However, this cannot happen when the medical staff is not culturally sensitive.