Health Care Services and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Society

        There is no question that Western culture and Asian culture have vast differences. This divergence can readily be observed in various socio-cultural features- cuisine, traditions, customs, religion, rituals, and rites. The belief system in health matters is no exception, and this ocean of differences has led to failures and drawbacks in health care and medical services. For example, a study (Uba, 1992) among health-care providers in the United States showed that they were uninformed or not knowledgeable about Southeast Asian culture. Subsequently, the research concluded, among others, “that health providers’ ignorance of Southeast Asian cultures can interfere with communication with patients, resulting in culturally irrelevant services or misinterpretations of side effects of Southeast Asian folk medicines.”

           How each culture perceives disease and disease causation demonstrates these contrasting views. For the most part, Westerners see ailment or disease purely as a medical issue. That is, the presence of disease should be addressed using medical science, nothing more, nothing less. On the other hand, Asians look at the disease process as a complex mechanism that involves non-physical agents that influence the integrity of health. In particular, the Chinese way of thinking about disease is anchored on the “yin-yang” principle. The “yin-yang” philosophy posits the concept of duality- a dynamic interaction and relationship between two opposing entities. These two opposites are inherent in all creations- existing in harmony (Carteret, 2010). “Yin” symbolically characterizes night as cold, dark, feminine, and negative, while “yang” represents day as a light, warm, positive male entity (Webmd.com, 2020). Accordingly, an imbalance between these two forces results in ill-health, while a balance of the opposing opposites creates a healthy functioning body (Garko, 2014). Therefore, the harmonious balance between the “yin-yang” must be restored to treat a disease.

        To “correct” this imbalance, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) employs various treatment remedies. This array of treatment regimens includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, meditation, and moxibustion. As can be gleaned from this health view, healthcare providers, administrators, and policy-makers must develop strategies and programs that inculcate an “all-inclusive” principle. For example, in creating a health proposal in an indigenous community, the traditions and practices of the people should be assessed or evaluated, specifically on their health beliefs and practices. It may involve the incorporation of their customs and traditions in health program endeavors. This ensures that a holistic and workable health policy or program can be implemented without hostile reactions or negative impressions from community members. Sans opposition and resistance from people, the health approach would most likely be accepted and embraced.

      A well-informed and knowledgeable health officer makes the necessary adjustments to accommodate cultural values in crafting health protocols and mandates. When patients or community members see that their healthcare providers are sensitive to their long-held values, they will cooperate more. Increased public cooperation contributes positively to the efficiency of a health policy, program, or any healthcare-related endeavor.

Mark Anthony Salve, Ph.D.