asian culture

There is so much to learn about the Asian culture that I really didnt expect to learn much more than I felt that I knew. I have been exposed to a lot of Asian traditions, foods, etc through family and other outlets. I learned a lot about traditions, and holidays. More about which countries or areas are considered Asian etc.  I learned about traditional food and dance such as dim sum, tea, and the vast amount of different dance and what their symbolism is and what it is that influenced that form of dance.  I find their dances very interesting due to the difference from what I am accustomed to. I read about religion, primarily due to its influence on medicine and desires of the patients in which I will treat.  It talked alot about meditation, Moksha which is spiritual salvation.  Buddhism is the most widely recognized religion thought Hinduism is the oldest. Like every other culture just knowing the desires of the patient, knowing what it is that they expect and knowing if there is any religious aspects that may affect care or how you will go about their care is how I plan to implement asian culture into my care as a medical provider.

native american

Native American Post

I have learned so much about the many different Native American Cultures.  I did not know much other than they danced and chanted, hunted, wore different clothing made from the animals they killed and live in tepee's.  well that is the small little synopsis of what I know.  I expected to learn very minimal about the native american culture, but I learned about the dream catcher, which I had no Idea what they were really used for, totem poles, sweatlodges, smudging, so on and so forth. I learned about the symbolism of animals and what the native american feel toward animals.  Native american religion pertains so many different aspects and is very specific the to region or tribe.  Medicine men, shaman, animism, herbalism are all aspects of the native american religion.  In the world of medicine it would be very important to know what the patient is wanting and is expecting due to their beliefs in medicine and the spiritual connection that herbs and other parts of nature have on their healing.  What is their take on modern medicine?  I really have enjoyed learning what all the different symbols mean, and all the other feelings they have toward nature and their contentedness with those who have passed.

Deaf Culture

I had expected to learn a little more than I did about the deaf culture.  I found it very hard to find good information that expounded further than what I did find.  I learned that throughout the deaf community, they do not belief that being deaf is a disability.  They promote vision as a primary focus and their primary sense due to not having hearing and then from there they have created their own world of literature, music, art, etc.  I learned that ASL is the primary language and there are dialects of signing throughout the world, which I found to be interesting.  I learned that there are all sort of resources for the deaf community such as libraries, churches, dating forums, social outlets, etc.  I have treated a few deaf patients and is has been a very difficult.  Until a interpreter gets there communicating is almost impossible.  I have in instances used a pen and paper to communicate until interpreters have arrived.  It is hard to not talk to the patient and feel like you are talking to the translator.  It is vital that we remember to include the patient and make them feel as if they are the one that we are talking to and not the translator.  I feel privileged to be able to care for patients that are part of the deaf community and see how it is that they make themselves fit into everyday life and the cultures around them.  THey are not a specific culture but a community as many of the deaf website stated.  And we as healthcare professionals should treat them as such.

Hispanic/Latin

Because I am doing my Wiki page on a Hispanic/Latin culture I did not really expect to learn much more than I had learned from researching Spain.  I had expected to learn more about the individual traditions and holidays that are of course different from the ones in which I celebrate.  I also wanted to learn more about food, especially because Latin/Hispanic food is my absolute favorite.  I learned a great deal about family and how it is the central aspect of ones life.  Everything one does revolves around family.  I enjoyed this aspect of the Hispanic/Latin culture because too often I feel that families lose a sense of family and without family you don't have much else.  I know that I have seen often multiple families living under one roof and found it e strange due to living circumstances.  I just would figure there would be bickering and fighting all the time.  What  I did not understand was that this is the preferred way for many.  I know that it would be hard for me to pick up a financial responsibility for a family member other than a parent or brother/sister situation, but in the Hispanic culture it is their moral duty. I have noticed when care for Hispanic patients, there are loads of family that show up.  I have been frustrated trying to maneuver around all of them, but now that I understand more about their culture I will try to make it more of a standard to allow the family members to be around the patient to participate in their plan of care etc. if that be the desire of the patient. I have learned a great deal about the Hispanic population and have better understanding of why they do and act the way in which they do.  I wont say that I don't still have opinions on certain circumstances, but I am glad that I can care for my patients in a better, more educated manor.

Judaism post

I had hoped to learn alot more about the Jewish faith. I had always been interested in what certain terminology meant such as shabbat, Shalom, and other terminology I had heard. I knew very little about this culture other than they do not eat pork. The only other thing I knew is that they celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas. What I did learn is that the Torah is their scripture, What the 10 commandments were:
Ten Commandments Worship no other gods, Do not worship idols, Do not misuse the name of the
Lord., Keep the Sabbath holy, Honor your father and mother, Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do
not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not covet. The Jewish faith focuses more on the life
on earth than the afterlife. What it states is that a life full of good and fulfills your duty to god receives a reward and one full of sin will receive punishment.  What I have come to learn about the jewish faith is when caring for Jewish patients you must take into consideration such things as the Sabbath , dietary restrictions, and other special needs that they may have.  I have seen many things on the Jewish culture on T.V and in movies and they do the religion no justice because it does not even touch the surface of what I have learned.  I dont have much of an opinion, other than, like the other religions we have gone over, it is one that I knew little about and feel that I am much more knowledged.

Muslim post

I actually just took care of a pt of the Muslim belief this week while we were talking about the Muslim culture. I did not know much other than the women dressed covered from head to toe and the men were always dressed what I would call normal.  I never understood why it was that it was this way.  I new that them believed in Allah, I had heard terminology such as jihad, mecca, etc.  I hoped to get a better understanding of why the women dressed this way, way their true beliefs were and why they practice prayer so many times a day.  I learned that they pray 5 times a day, and when they pray they are in a specific position.  I also learned that women dress the way they do is because their sexuality and beauty is not for public display.  Women are only meant to share this with their husbands.  When they are at home and around father, brother ( anyone there is no possible way they are to marry, they may beautify themselves in anyway they want and go without their headdress.).Men and women are considered equal and women are regarded as precious and valuable. When I was taking care of my patient this week, she had her head dress on and I needed to take a temperature.  I had heard that they will not even remove their head dress for this.  I didnt know what to do so I politely asked if it would be ok to move the head piece just enough to get a temperature and there was no problem.  It was interested to see how reserved this patient was, very quiet and proper. I hope that I will be able to find ways in which to respect their cultural beliefs and they believe that they must have a care giver of the same sex especially when women are giving birth.  This may be something that happens in a hospital setting that if you do not know their culture may bring about a problem.

catholic entry

What I had expected to learn about the catholic religion was more or less the basics of what they believe.  I knew what I had learned in movies etc.  What I did not realize is how many differences there are in "catholic  beliefs".  I did not know that there were different sects in a way.  I learned that there are 7 sacraments of sacred mysteries, many which are common to the general public.  THat god is comprised of three pwersons to make one. The bible is their only true scripture.  salvation is only by baptisms and the sacraments of repentance/confession and Communion. Ways in which I can use this information in my practice is by first becoming knowledge in the patients needs and then helping facilitate what it is that they may need through the chaplain. I know the most important thing I can do for a patient is to let them lean on their faith especially when they are being given terrible information or dealing with death. My opinion on the catholic culture is that it is very complex and there is much to learn.  I dont believe that I have even skimmed the surface on how much there is to learn. 

Homeless culture entry

I found it very fascinating at how many people are homeless.  The statistics were astonishing.  What I had truly expected to learn was more of a way in which we can help this culture as a medical professional. what I actually learned was that 1 in 50 children are homeless.  This to me is disturbing due to children deserving more.  It breaks my heart that this many children have no food or a warm place to sleep. The most common reasons that persons are homeless include:  a lack of affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment. other reasons that were identified as to be reasons persons were homeless include: mental illness, substance abuse, low-paying jobs, prisoner reentry, unemployment, domestic violence, and poverty.
Ways in which I am able to help this culture in my practice may to provide resources for homeless patients.  Depending on their situation have information that I can hand to them on their way out that may help them find it is what they need to get them on the right track or at least have adequate housing and food. My personal feeling in regards to the homeless is not only is it sad, it is frustrating when I take care of many homeless people, and at least 90% of them come in drunk and are found somewhere, brought in by police and left for us to take care of.  I want them to have a better lifestyle but at times I dont know if they do.  

Latter-Day Saint Journal Entry

What I had expected to learn about this culture is more or less how healthcare facilities deal with families and their request of hospitals to facilitate members to assist in blessings.  I know that this has been difficult in the are of the hospital that I work in.  Families sometimes just expect that staff members should be able to do this.  The problem is: is it correct to act staff members to assist in a blessing on a patient they are caring for, or are they even LDS.  I know that because of the are we live in many just assume that all are LDS.  In our hospital we do not have assigned clergy to perform these services so We will sometimes page it overhead the PA system which has also been questioned whether appropriate.  What I did learn is that many hospitals do provide a way in which priesthood holders can be contacted in times of need, and allow these blessing to be performed in all circumstances.  I know that when family needs comfort they lean on their faith, and allowing a priesthood blessing should be facilitated for them if that is what the patient and their family needs at that particular time, whether or not you agree/ or it is your same faith. I have no particular feelings to share, other than what I have already stated.  I know that sometimes it can feel as though we are impeding care to the patient but we should never not allow a family to do something to will bring them comfort.

Jehovah's Witness Jouranl Entry

what I had expected to Learn about the Jehovah's witness culture is more about their culture and why it is they do or no not accept specific treatments when it comes to healthcare. I learned not only why they do not allow blood transfusions, but also why they don't celebrate certain holidays, birthdays, where the culture originated, and how they perform their worship.  By knowing why it is that they do not accept life saving measures such as blood transfusions I will be able to be more sensitive to this and hopefully be able to assist the physician in finding appropriate therapies for these patients. I found many things interesting about this culture.  I dont have any specific feeling in regards to this culture/religious belief.  I know that it has some things about it that I do not agree with but I am glad I had the chance to learn more as to not be so nieve.

Cultural Diversity Journal Entry.

I dont know if I am understanding this particular topic correctly for this post but I will give it a shot anyway.

I had hoped to learn so many different things about cultural diversity.  Not only ways that I can become culturally diverse, but ways in which I can gain that knowledge.  I need an outlet or I guess by using the nursing lounges that we have joined I will be able to find resources to become more culturally diverse.  

I have learned the definition of cultural diversity and many opinions of what it is to be culturally diverse.  I now know that our own culture can effect the way in which we view cultural diversity. I will utilize what I learn every day in my job.  I work in an area where it is very important to gain a base knowledge of your patients due to the urgency that the ED brings at times, and also because those that are in the Emergency department are there due to believing that why they are there is an emergency.  My personal feelings on cultural diversity are that sometimes it can be hard, but in the long run and also the care that the patient receives is always more important than agreeing or disagreeing with their culture/belief.