Healing Beliefs And Practices
Culture plays a profound role in the health and healing beliefs and practices of people from all walks of life. This is especially true in times of birth and of death. In this paper, you will examine the array of cultural constructs that influence beliefs and thus behavior related to a health care
Select a cultural group covered in the course or the case study below. Then, submit an eight- to 10-page research paper containing a minimum of six scholarly sources addressing the following case scenario:
An African American/Black man accompanies his 25-year-old Muslim wife to the emergency room. The woman is concerned about severe pains and abdominal cramping she is experiencing. A doctor’s examination finds that the woman is suffering from an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is one in which a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies cannot continue to term. The developing cells must be removed to save the mother’s life.
The doctor explains the diagnosis to the couple and outlines the following medical treatment plan: Insertion of an intravenous (IV) line, administration of pain medication, and surgical intervention. The physician explains that the surgery will consist of the removal of the developing cells with the potential need for blood product administration, and the administration of IV antibiotics. When the couple begins to refuse surgery based on their cultural and inherent religious beliefs, the doctor explains that an ectopic pregnancy is considered an emergency procedure and must take place within the hour.
Given their cultural beliefs,
- Explain how the couple is likely to respond to the diagnosis and the medical treatment plan.
- Consider the following when formulating your response:
- Describe the cultural constructs (conceptual framework) in this scenario that may be in conflict to the Western medical constructs regarding birth.
- Describe the potential cultural constructs (conceptual framework) of this couple in relation to death.
- Describe the cultural constructs of this couple regarding illness and disease.
- Infer the health and healing traditions that this couple may employ based on this scenario.
- Explain the implications of this cultural intervention for this population.
- Explain the implications of this intervention to the Western medical establishment.
- Explain how the medical team might consider responding after hearing the couple’s concerns.
- Consider the conceptual framework of the health care providers when formulating your response:
- Explain what is causing the pain and suffering in the ectopic pregnancy.
- Assess whether one person’s health and well-being are taking a higher priority over another person’s health and well-being (i.e., mother and baby).
- Describe the health care provider’s cultural construct in relation to this medical
- Explain what the medical model concluded is necessary for this patient’s situation.
- Describe the potential outcomes for the patient and the medical team of not delivering culturally appropriate care.
The Final Paper
- Must be eight to 10 double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style.
- Must include a separate title page with the following:
- Title of paper
- Student’s name
- Course name and number
- Instructor’s name
- Date submitted
- Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
- Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
- Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
- Must use at least six scholarly sources, including a minimum of four from ProQuest and related peer-reviewed search engines
- Must document all sources in APA style.
- Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style.