Assignent Solutionnurs

Trusting or mistrusting doctors or the health system is an important cultural consideration when working with clients. Read the following excerpt from the textbook, Culture and Health1, and respond to the questions below. African American’s Cross-Cultural Interactions with Biomedicine “African Americans are often suspicious of doctors in the medical system to such extreme degrees that effective clinical communication and disclosure may be seriously impaired. Various historical factors have contributed to the distrust of doctors (Bailey, 2004), including their use of African Americans in medical experiments. This has often been done without their knowledge or consent and has actually contributed to the spread of disease in the African American community. The infamous Tuskegee study left African American men with syphilis untreated for decades even though antibiotics were unavailable. The study was proposed in the scientific interest of determining if blacks and whites responded to syphilis differently, its continuation for decades suggests that other racist elements were involved in the decisions. This has led to a general distrust of government health initiatives and treatment programs. Providers are more likely to be effective in working with African American patients if they recognize that there is a likelihood of a serious distrust of the doctor. Cross-cultural communication skills become tools at establishing more effective relations and overcoming the burdens of history. A significant feature of the intercultural relations of African Americans with biomedicine is the feeling of a lack of respect from doctors. Doctors in the United States often tried to put their patients at ease (or in their place?) using first names: “Hi, I am Dr. Jones, how are you doing Mary?” This might make some people feel more comfortable, but to African Americans, this is often seen as reinforcing a power relationship. Respect can be shown by addressing adults as “Mister” or “Mrs.” unless told otherwise by the patient.” This excerpt gave an example of the issue of mistrust that many African Americans may experience with doctors and in the healthcare system. Briefly answer the following questions. 1.) Describe the health disparities (ie. racism, discrimination, historical injustice) exemplified in the passage and how this caused collective mistrust. 2) If a client were experiencing mistrust and needed health services, what actions would you take to understand their experience and be effective with meeting their needs?