Summary: Cultural Differences In Health Care

The communities in which we live in today are made of a wide variety of cultural and religious backgrounds. In order to provide appropriate customer service in healthcare, these differences should be taken in consideration. To understand more fully the needs of all patients, staff must learn to respect and appreciate these differences. A group of individuals that face barriers because of their customs and religion are Muslims. The Arab Muslim population often encounters barriers such as modesty, gender preference in health care providers and illness causation misconceptions, among others. This paper will further explain these barriers, along with culturally competent health promotion suggestions provided for this population, in an intent

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Many of Muslim women used their faith to reason that God determines the progress of their health regardless of the treatment. Many Muslim women for example, view cancer as a disease controlled by fate. A cancer diagnosis is viewed as a reflection of sin, a test from God. There were also suggestions from the women interviewed that being strong during the diagnosis or, in their own words, accepting the cancer, made them more likely to survive the disease (Mellon el al., 2013). In consequence, an acceptance of the disease could result in delay in seeking treatment from western healthcare or seeking treatment at all. In Islam teachings health is believed to be lost through a lack of balance and moderation in one’s lifestyle.

In Muslim culture, some topics are even considered taboo to talk about, for example mental illness, because of the belief that a Muslim cannot be depressed if correctly following the tenets of Islam. Muslims also believe that there are three types of beings that were created above animals. Those beings are man, who was created from the earth; angels, created from light, and jinn, created from fire. Men and jinn have free will,

N. Muhaimin, 2009).

An overall Islamic view of health is based on Islamic teachings and norms such as God and family focused values of health. While some of these beliefs support healthy behaviors,

Cultural Barriers in Healthcare

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they can also present challenges for Muslim women living in the U.S. and exploring its healthcare system. Muslim women value modesty and are hesitant to remove clothing for medical examination. They may prefer to be cared by the same gender and face discrimination. The healthcare facility that they attend may not provide culturally competent services. The healthcare providers that they encounter might not have an adequate understanding of Muslim culture. Because of the barriers they face they, the majority of these women do not receive the appropriate care or do not attempt to seek help at all. To diminish the obstacles that these women face, some improvements may be in need. Education of this diverse group by healthcare providers and simple modesty accommodations can go a long way. It is important to recognize that these changes are necessary to provide proper care to Muslim