NRSG 115 Cultural Competence Care- Beliefs in Healthcare

The document is an academic paper titled "Cultural Competence Care- Beliefs in Healthcare" that focuses on the diverse cultural and socioeconomic factors influencing the healthcare beliefs and decision-making processes of the Hispanic and Latino populations. The paper emphasizes the need for cultural competence among healthcare providers to overcome barriers and improve equitable care access for Hispanic/Latino patients. Beliefs in Healthcare: The Hispanic population shows limited belief in science, medicine, and healthcare. They are heavily reliant on folk and traditional medicine , with eighty percent of the population reportedly using traditional or cultural remedies to treat illnesses. They believe in a spiritual connection with illnesses, often associating occurrences with higher beings. They also believe in fatalism, a predetermined notion regarding the inevitability of events. Family Structure and Decision-Making: Hispanic families have a strong and central decision-making system. The father is the head of the household and the breadwinner , and all decisions, including those related to health, are discussed and decided upon by the family members. Children have limited authority or say in health matters. Cultural Practices and Health: Adherence to cultural attitudes like machismo and caballerismo (hyper-masculinity, where males take the primary role in providing and protecting their families) can negatively affect health. Many families have poor dietary practices associated with health factors, contributing to common conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, and heart disease. Barriers to Care: Language barriers are the primary obstacle , as the population communicates primarily in Spanish. Privacy concerns exist, especially when dealing with opposite-gender providers. Lack of understanding of family dynamics and cultural practices by providers contributes to healthcare disparities. Implications for Care: Healthcare providers must screen for these cultural aspects to integrate them into treatment and educate patients on the dangers of overreliance on traditional remedies. Understanding the communication language, which is rooted in respect and physical cues (e.g., handshaking or standing up for the elderly) , helps promote positive health-seeking behavior.