After today's discussion, I realized that although the technology in our medical system may be "advanced," it is not as thorough as it could be. There are still many improvements that can be made that would benefit both the medical practitioners and the patients. As we had discussed in class, communication is one aspect that could be worked on. If the communication were more efficient, then a greater understanding between the doctor and patient would also result. However, the understanding that would stem from respecting the values and traditions of other cultures is just as important. This idea represents that more than just a communication barrier, there is also a cultural barrier that must be overcome in some cases.
One such cultural difference between American society and the Hmong people is what is to be treated, the person or the disease? In the case of Lea Lee, Hmong values interpret her "disease" as a condition that can happen to anyone. They do not try to fix the problem, viewing the treatment involved as more of a crisis than the condition itself. In American society, however, Lea's condition is seen as a disorder, something that must be treated; the only way to go about this, though, is to treat the symptoms, which may lead to other negative effects on Lea's body. Such differences in thought show the cultural differences that groups of people may have. Moi brought up a point in class today that I definitely agree with: rather than attempting to learn about the variations in thought a group of people may have, it is more important to respect such differences. Just like different groups of people may have various ways of thinking, individuals of a specific group may also vary in thought. Thus, it is not as important to categorize groups of people as it is to understand each individual for what he/she may believe in.
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2 comments:
Tina is exactly right when she describes both the communication and cultural barriers that exist in Fadiman's book. These two things prevent all of the characters in the book from feeling the autonomy that they all deserve. Additionally, it is almost as if each of the characters wears some sort of cultural blinders that prevents them from coming even close to understanding the differences that exist.
Although we briefly discussed in class the importance of gaining cultural sensitivity when training to be a medical professional, I believe that cultural interpretors are important as well; they may even be more important. Interpretors can exist in hospitals and clinics all of the time and remain there for the sole purpose of helping those who cannot communicate in our hegemonic medical structure. Communication appears to be difficult for the Hmong, but there are also many Americans who can barely understand the what happens within the system or what goes on with their doctor. I think that it is too much to assume that all doctors can keep up with all the ways in which culture affects medicine among different groups of people. The truth is, each culture has its own way of understanding disease and illness.
I agree, but how can we merge these practices? Or is there no real way to go about this?
Obviously there really are no right or wrong ways to handle illness, as many cultures have their own ways and they all work in their own ways as well.
Interpretors are very important, I do agree. That way at least they can try and properly get the information they deserve to know.
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