Cultural Health Practices and Beliefs and CAM

Week 6

Through out the world there are thousands of different cultures and beliefs. In today's nursing and health care practices, staff need to be aware and sensitive to these differences and treat the patient as a holistic being not just an ill body in a bed. Such aspects such as Jewish don't eat pork, some people only want to be treated by staff of the same gender and different beliefs at the end of life are all little differences that people believe in. By being aware and taking the time to listen and acknowledge these differences will allow the caregiver to provide better care for the person. From watching the video of Diane Coorah, a Wiradjuri woman, and her journey with terminal cancer really brought to light the concerns that she had for herself, her family and her beliefs at the end of her time. It showed that her main concern was for her family's mental and cultural well being and for her final time to be in comfort and in line with her beliefs. I learnt that after their passing some Aboriginals request that you do not refer to them by name as it can upset the family and keep the spirit from leaving (Australian Government, 2009). From learning about the elders and the body smoking I can make sure that I am getting all the patients wishes so that they can be at peace knowing that they will be taken care of.

Aboriginal smoking ceremony

Complementary and Alternative Medicine is also an aspect that needs to be looked at if being used as some modern and eastern medicines should not be uses together. For example, some anti-depressives and St John's Wort can cause an increase to the effects of the anti-depressants and cause serotonin syndrome (Ehrlich,2016). I have personally used Chinese medicine and acupuncture after years of failed IVF attempts. We were blessed with our daughter and found that my reasons for being unable to carry a child for longer than the first trimester was much more in depth than modern medicine understood.

Acupuncture

By understanding that everyone have a different culture and beliefs I will be able to make sure I am understanding the holistic person and can provide the best care.

References

Ehrlich, S. (2016). Possible interactions with: St. John’s Wort. Retrieved from https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb-interaction/possible-interactions-with-st-johns-wort

Australian Government. (2009). Cultural protocols relating to deaths in Indigenous communities. Retrieved from https://apps.indigenous.gov.au/cultural_protocol.htm

Grey, D. (Photographer). (2014). Smoking Ceremony [Photograph]. Retrieved from

http://blogs.ft.com/photo-diary/2014/03/smoking-ceremony/

Acupuncture [Photograph]. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.woodlandsacu.com/