Carlson Cultural Presentation

Native American Culture : 

Native American Culture Amy Carlson Creighton University August 7th, 2009

Background Information : 

Background Information There are 4.1 million people that classify themselves as American Indian or American Eskimo in the United States (Broome, 2007). Native American people have a long and proud tradition. They celebrate their rich culture and traditions in their everyday lives. Community is the center of their culture and they rely heavily on the community and family for their support.

Background Info cont… : 

Background Info cont… The Native American culture is based on a holistic view of life. If one part of the mind, body, or spirit is ill then the whole person is ill. In the present time, casinos have generated income for the reservations making it possible to improve living conditions and build new housing and clinics for the Native American people.

Health Care Concerns : 

Health Care Concerns Native Americans are at increased risk compared to Caucasians for the following diseases and events. -Teen pregnancy -Liver disease r/t ETOH abuse -SIDS -Diabetes - type II -Suicide -Accidental Injury -Prostate and Breast Cancer -Heart Disease -Obesity (Broomer, 2007)

Cultural Concerns : 

Cultural Concerns English is the primary language, although many speak tribal dialects. Metaphors and story telling are often used to describe situations. Most families are Matriarchal, and elders are revered. Respect is important and can be established by avoiding direct eye contact for long periods and not invading personal space. Light handshakes are appropriate, soft voices and non-verbal communication is also important. (Broomer,2007)

Cultural Concerns cont…. : 

Cultural Concerns cont…. Death is viewed as a journey into another world. It is believed the spirit stays in the place death occurs, so it is preferred to die in the hospital instead of the home. The family performs cares on the body after death occurs. Many tribes believe that the body must be buried intact to enter the afterlife. Removed limbs are returned to the body and any hair lost is bundled and placed with the body. ( Cantore, 2001)

Health Care Beliefs : 

Health Care Beliefs Native Americans use tradition medicine and practices but also seek healthcare from clinics and hospitals. It is frequently misunderstood that the use of modern medicine doesn’t mean traditional remedies and practices can’t be offered in the health care setting. It’s important to involve the community and patient’s family in the healing process and respect traditional healing practices. (Trimble, 2001)

Health Care Practices : 

Health Care Practices Medicine men or Healers are often called in to the hospital to assist in caring for the patient. Prayer is very important to Native Americans, but they do not pray alone or for themselves. They pray with others and for others. They also believe if the body is imbalanced you are more prone to illness. Birth defects are believed to be a direct result of the parents immoral behavior. This is also true of other illnesses. Often illness is viewed as a lesson to be learned and lives are reevaluated during recovery. (Cantore, 2001)

Health Care Practices cont.. : 

Health Care Practices cont.. A persons health is directly tied to their spirituality. All things are connected in the universe and if one part is out of balance all is unbalanced. A Medicine Wheel is a tool used in Native American culture that is being brought into the hospitals. It is used as a tool to show how to achieve balance in life. The are four parts to the wheel. It represents many different things with the number four being sacred to Native Americans. (Cantore, 2001)

Traditional Medicine : 

Traditional Medicine The use of herbs and sweat lodges are still prevalent in the Native American culture of today. Tobacco is used in healing ceremonies as it’s believed to be a gift from the earth. Many use both herbs and modern medicine so it’s important to assess for the use of both when treating. (Cantore, 2001)

Characteristics of Native American and Western Medicine : 

Characteristics of Native American and Western Medicine Native-American Medicine Focus on health and healing the person and community. Complex: Diseases do not have a simple explanation, and outcomes are not always measurable. Teleological medicine: "What can the disease teach the patient? Is there a message or story in the disease?" Looks at the "big picture:" The causes and effects of disease in the physical, emotional, environmental, social, and spiritual realms. Intuition is primary. Healing is based on spiritual truths learned from nature, elders, and spiritual vision. Healer is a health counselor and advisor. Empowers patients with confidence, awareness, and tools to help them take charge of their own health. Health history includes the environment: "Are the salmon in your rivers ill?" Intervention should result in rapid cure or management of disease. Western Medicine Focus on pathology and curing disease. Reductionist: Diseases are biological and treatment should produce measurable outcomes. Adversarial medicine: "How can I destroy the disease?" Investigate disease with a "divide-and-conquer" strategy, looking for microscopic cause. Intellect is primary. Medical practice is based on scientific theory. Physician is an authority. Fosters dependence on medication, technology, etc. Health history focuses on patient and family: "Did your mother have cancer?" Intervention should result in rapid cure or management of disease. (Cohen, 2003 as cited in Broome, 2007)

References : 

References Broome, B., & Broome, R. (2007, April). Culture and diversity issues. Native Americans: traditional healing. Urologic Nursing, 27(2), 161. Cantore, Jean Ann. (2001). Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Retrieved August 3, 2009, from http://www.minoritynurse.com/cultural-competence/earth-wind-fire-and-water Trimble, J.E. and F. Beauvais. (Ed.) (2001). Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Prevention among American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: Issues in Cultural Competence. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS Publication No. SMA 99-3440).