2023 Reply 1 Interviewing Indian Hindu considerations of a 19 year old with a fever Pulse 2003 Some things to take into consideration

Reply 1

Interviewing (Indian/Hindu) considerations of a 19-year-old with a fever (Pulse, 2003)

Some things to take into consideration when interviewing a Hindu patient would be to ask about their family dynamic and if they want anyone to be involved and consulted for their care. It is considered normal for extended family members to be part of their care. Also, checking with that patient to make sure they are okay with the people who are examining them; most would want a person of the same sex where available, and even though I am a female, other staff with me may not be. When considering receiving medical attention, it is believed that “illness is thought to be a punishment…” (Pulse, 2003) and although they respect healthcare personnel, they are not so willing to take medications for illness. In this case, the female being admitted to the hospital may not have taken Tylenol which could have decreased her fever and not put her in such dire need. Communicating these needs is crucial to avoid a further decline; like having to start an IV for fluid because of severe dehydration.

Healthcare support systems in community or national if not community 

Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council (MCHC) (n.d.) offers a list of resources for Indian/Hindu patients regarding their healthcare. The Hindu Temple in Chicago offers live services and online services to connect with others; their website is: http://www.ramatemple.org. Another resource is the Indo-American Center that can be contacted at (773) 973-4444. There are other services listed on the MCHC’s page, these are just two. There is also a resource for medical professionals caring for Hindu patients, listed at: http://www.angelfire.com/az/ambersukumaran/medicine.html.

References

Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council (MCHC). (n.d.) Guidelines for health care providers interacting with patients of the Hindu religion and their families.Retrieved from https://www.kyha.com/assets/docs/PreparednessDocs/cg-hindu.pdf

Pulse. (2003). Caring for the Hindu patient: Cultural and clinical aspects. Retrieved from http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/caring-for-the-hindu-patient-cultural-and-clinical-aspects/10862719.article
Reply 2

You are admitting a 19-year old female college student to the hospital for fevers. Using the patient information provided, choose a culture unfamiliar to you and describe what would be important to remember while you interview this patient. Discuss the health care support systems available in your community for someone of this culture. If no support systems are available in your community, identify a national resource.

A newer culture to Wisconsin is the Somalian population of immigrants. Caring for female in the Somalian culture brings about further considerations. Somalian people when living in their home country walk to get to places and when they move to the U.S., it is a big change because we drive most places. (Mayo Clinic Health System, 2016)This lack of exercise can lead to obesity and other health care issues. Health care providers must take into consideration the social determinants disparities this ethnic group suffers from. Higher poverty levels and a lack of high school diploma are social determinants that need to be considered. (Stratis Health, 2020) Health conditions common to the Somalian culture include asthma, cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, and domestic violence. (Stratis Health, 2020)

Some Somalians do not want vaccines due to the possibility of derivatives of pork products. Due to the lack of vaccination, these patients are at higher risk for common childhood diseases. (Stratis Health, 2020) Another concern is female genitalia cutting, which is a common practice in Somalia. Here in the United States female genitalia cutting is illegal making it uncommon to see in Somalian girls who were born in the United States. Traditional Somalians are very modest and prefer examination by a same sex healthcare provider. (Stratis Health, 2020) If there is a need for a male to do the exam, then allowing a female to be present during the exam is the best practice. Somalian women may avoid eye contact due to their modest beliefs not because they are not listening to the healthcare provider. (Stratis Health, 2020)

Due to the possible lack of finances and lack of education, it is important to assist patients with resources that can address those concerns. If the patient is in need of women health assistance, Planned Parenthood is a great resource. (Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, inc, 2020) Another program called Badger Care can provide insurance for the patient if they are living in poverty with low income. (Wisconsin Department of Health, 2020)

References

Mayo Clinic Health System. (2016, June 8). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/helping-somalis-connect-with-us-health-care

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, inc. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-wisconsin/patients

Stratis Health. (2020). Retrieved from Culture Care Connection: http://culturecareconnection.org/matters/diversity/somali.html

Wisconsin Department of Health. (2020, May 11). Retrieved from https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/index.htm