In Hunt and de Voogd’s piece Clinical Myths of the Cultural “Other”: Implications for Latino Patient Care, the definition of what constitutes “optimal care” comes to the forefront again. While in The Spirit Catches You, the problem was near complete ignorance of the Hmong culture; in Clinical Myths, the problem seems to be making assumptions and generalizations of a culture that the physicians think they know. Sadly, instead of coming out as heroes of cultural sensitivity, they are guilty of perpetuating stereotypes. When asked why the doctors might think a Latina would decline amniocentesis, they replied that it was fear based. While it is completely understandable that having a giant needle stabbed into your pregnant belly would incite at least a modicum of nervousness, the doctors thought the fear was based in superstition and folk beliefs as opposed to anxiety about the procedure, assuming that their Latina patients had odd ideas about what caused birth defects. For instance, “a lunar eclipse, brujeria (witchcraft), or mal de ojo (evil eye) can negatively affect the health of a developing fetus” (p. 920). In reality, none of the patients interviewed stated their hesitancy in getting the procedure was tied to folk beliefs. The clinicians often stated that their Latina patients came from extended, patriarchal families, and often communicated with the male of the couple instead of communicating with the patients themselves, concluding that the patients would defer to their husbands decision anyway. Once again, while the patients often consulted with their families and husbands, the majority of them were autonomous in their decision. Lastly, the doctors indicated religion as a reason that their Latina patients would refuse the amniocentesis, believing that devout Catholics would leave their children’s health up to god. While many of the patients were religious, all the women who used the phrase “si Dios quiere,” had the procedure done. Are these doctors giving the optimal care to patients to whom they think they understand their culture, but truly they do not? Turns out it isn’t really the doctors fault, but these beliefs about Latin culture is often portrayed in health literature. Primary sources listing presumed understanding of what would make a Latina resistant to certain procedures. It all boils down to the fact that there is danger in generalizations, and doctors cannot make presumptions. It’s a precarious balancing act between sensitivity and stereotyping.
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AuthorThe students in Spring 2019 Medical Anthropology! ArchivesCategories |