Question 1
Culture defines how people relate with their colleagues and the people outside their world. Culture has a central role when it comes to the way humans behave. In this case, the doctors must learn how the culture of the society inclines to a particular issue of interest to them. Having learnt that, they would be in a better position to handle the patient with professionalism and simultaneously involve them to drive out most of the medical information they may need. Another way is having a physician for a particular patient whom the patient can share the problem with after they have established a good rapport.In creating a serene environment for them so as to dispel fears that they may have and by creating a social atmosphere. Patients will engage the physician in talks that will be useful in driving out the information needed for the diagnosis.
Allowing the patients to choose the scheduled time of when to make an appointment with the physician makes them feel welcome. The flexibility is increased significantly; besides, the fact is a personal commitment makes them feel the need to see the doctors for treatments. The clinics may also consider moving hospitals closer to their patients. Alternatively they may opt to have mobile clinics when they have the highest patient turn out. Reminders also helps to increase the attendance rate since most of the patients may fail to attend due to having many tasks at their disposal and forgetting to manage others. They may think the physician are concerned about their health when reminded to turn on which has the ultimate effect of making them feel welcomed.
Question 2
The advanced option makes things easier for the patients. Sometimes one may make a promise and fail to attend due to unavoidable circumstances. In fact, when one promises something chances of fulfilling it becomes even slimmer. In the event the patient turns the next day and gets the physician, this improves the delivery. The patient would feel good when their day turns for the help for the clinic. The physician also would have more flexibility in their dealing. They would be dealing one case as it comes rather than waiting for the opportune time which may not finally come to happen. The backlog will be reduced. The most pressing issue and those which are not critical will be given the same attention under this system of advanced system. The backlog for the cases to be attended to would be decreasing as the week wears out. The number of the patients’ turnover is expected to fall in the course of the week.
Question 3
Culture is intertwined with the behaviors of individuals. The customs and belief plays a vital role in determining how the society perceives medical health. For example, some people for a given culture would not consume a certain food which would be a recommended remedy for a certain disease. Equally, the food consumed maybe the cause of a particular disease which the patient would need to stop consuming to ensure good health. The food maybe of significant traditional value which will make the patient not heed the prescriptions. In some community, they do not believe in use of drugs that may affect the treatment process.
In other situations, the physician may be referring to issues that are offending to the patient as it may be a taboo in their culture. The patient would possibly not respond towards the response but may fail to turn up or do as prescribed to do by the physician. The relationship may also deteriorate leading to a poor treatment process. It is, therefore, very necessary for the physician to learn about the patient culture adequately to facilitate a smooth prescription.
Question 4
The lack of information about the patient may adversely affect the treatment process. It may lead to the diagnosing the wrong problem. As a health practitioner, one is taught the etiquette of obtaining the information from the patients that are the skills the physician must apply. On top of that, the physician also can develop a good rapport with the patient so as to build trust. When there is trust, the patient can easily divulge the information that might be key the diagnosis. Some information such as sex orientations is not very open ones. The patient may not feel comfortable diverging about the sex orientation he or she has. With the expertise from the training, the physician would be in a better hand to handle the problem.
In most of the circumstances, the patient may opt not respond to some of the issues the physician may want clarification from him. The issues are maybe particularly disturbing to the patient but not know how to respond to the doctor. The treatment process maybe hampered due to this lack of information about the patient.
Question 5
Education to the society is essential. It ensures the patient relies on the right information when they want to make their decisions. Culture may cloud their thinking and hence the need to get the right information. The people who need knowledge make the worst decision in significant issues. For example, some community believes that when one uses the family planning drugs, it affects the sexuality and the productivity. There a couple of making information known to the society. There are influential people in the society can make a difference as they are highly regarded in the community. People will pay attention to them and divert their way of life. Another way is organizing forum to educate the masses. The information should be coded in a language that the community can learn. Follow up studies should also be made to ensure the implementation of the newly learned healthy behaviors’ is made. Constant encouragement would also help to improve the learning process.
The patient would get full support from a physician who would encourage them to make healthy, informed and lasting decisions in the matter of importance. Some culture is retrogressive and is an impediment to development. When people learn about these retrogressive behaviors’, they change for the betterment of the society and the health. Among the lists of retrogressive culture, is the female genital mutilations.
There would also be a reduction of the reported cases the physician would be required to diagnose. Preventive medicine has always been a strong element in a healthy population. When people practice the right diets, healthy habits and procedures, they will not suffer from diseases or they would report for medical check-up minimal times. The societal perception about certain issue would also change. Creating a paradigm shift would b the most phenomenal achievement to make in such a situation.
Works Cited
Humphries & Eddy. "Income-related Health Inequalities in Canada." Social Science and Medicine (2000): 587-689.
OECD. "Investing In Health To Reduce Poverty." Poverty and Health (2003): 54-98.
Phipps, Shelley. The Impact of Poverty on Health. Collected Papers. Canada: Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2003. Document.
WHO. Poverty and Health: A Strategy for Africa Region. Brazaville: World Health Organization, 2011.
