Question

Directions

Carefully read and respond to each question. Please complete your responses using complete sentences. Your responses will be evaluated on the basis of content accuracy, clarity, correct usage of the English language, and demonstrated evidence of critical analysis.  

1.     How would you describe the “culture of healthcare” in the U.S.? Do you agree that a country’s culture determines its healthcare model? Explain your opinion.

Answer 1

The U.S health care system is more complex. The U.S consist of people of different ethnic and racial group. The culture plays a major role in health care. Black and Hispanic Americans receive a lower quality of life. Cultural issues show a larger difference in patient outcomes. some of the cultures visualize the disease as a natural phenomenon and not seeking the medical attention. Asian culture believes in the joint family where the treatment recommendations are disagreed by the family decision maker. Some Asian subcultures are resisted to take mental treatment and counseling. The Russian immigrants have their own health concerns and avoid open discussion with the physician about their health condition and behavior. Hispanians have different cultural beliefs and more involved in home remedies and seek illness as God's punishment. African-Americans are family oriented and the decision is taken as per family beliefs. The American Healthcare system differs from traditional American culture. Healthcare professionals face a lot of barriers such as language, norms, values, in treating and educating the patient. Cultural differences influence in the diagnosis, progress of the disease, and course of treatment. Cross-cultural variations affect the patient's outcomes of treatment.

The U.S healthcare follows the biomedical model and uses of more technology. The system is more complex and differs from that of other culture. Even the healthcare model does not determine the culture of the Native Americans. It consists of the different level of care and focuses more on preventive care. The access to health care is more influenced by the health insurance market. The sharing and discussing of information is electronic based rather than face-to-face discussion. The healthcare cost is too high and complex for rural people. The rights of patient and healthcare provider differ. Healthcare decision is individual rights not family oriented.