Cross Cultural Health Perspective

: Cross-Cultural Health Perspective

p : language Session Long Project 5

What are the implications of applying the Western Scientific Paradigm to members of your target cultural group (Asian Community ? What , if any alternative paradigms might prove to be more effective and why

The Western Scientific paradigm tends to ignore the non-physical factors that play a role in the development and the progression of the physical dis . The Western scientific paradigm concentrates more on reducing the severity of the symptoms rather than treating the condition as a whole . The Eastern communities can

be utilized to treat the mental and social aspects of the dis . The Western form of medicine gives greater importance to the structure of a portion of the body than its function . The function of a particular part of the body is ignored Western medicine may often consider the presence of certain vestigial organs in the body such as the tonsils or the appendix to be unwanted structures . As Western medicine mainly concentrates on reducing the symptoms , complete healing seems to be a distant dream . The Western form of medicine does not consider the interactions between the mind and the body . Several diss that develop from a poor lifestyle may require a more holistic form of treatment

Many individuals who belong to the minorities that have applied the Western scientific paradigm have suffered to a greater extent than those who have applied their traditional medicine system . Neither as interactions between the healthcare provider and the patient are less (due to linguistic barriers , the mental and the social aspects of the disease are not addressed . Hence , the outcome of treatment for such patients is often more poor compared to the majorities . In a foreign country , the minority groups suffer from several problems such as socio-economic , poverty , unemployment , poor living conditions , domestic violence , racial discrimination , etc . They are more unable to do something good for their health and hence depend on the external variables that affect health , than when staying in their home nation The Western scientific paradigm is not tailor-made to suit the needs of these communities , and hence these individuals suffer from a poor state of wellbeing

The Western Scientific paradigm tends to concentrate on providing medicines or performing surgery to help relieve the symptoms of the dis . Drugs and surgery not only obstruct the natural healing process but also damage the body because of the ill-effects of various drugs and complications that can develop following surgery . Individuals belonging to the Eastern communities prefer less invasive forms of treatment that encourage strengthening of the immune function

Alternative paradigms are required to enable proper healing of the entire disease process . As individuals belonging to minorities have faith in holistic care , prevention and health promotion strategies should be adopted . This would allow better control over the disease process . As mental factors play a major role in the development of the dis , treatment of the mental and physical symptoms need to be advocated . Long-standing conditions are usually associated with a...