Discussion 3 Case Study: Culture and Health Cultures: Korean Latino 1) What are some of the similarities and/or differences between the two cultures that you chose and how they deal with illness? Similarities: Both in the Latino and Korean cultures, disease may be seen as a cause of internal or external causes- which are not physiological causes. In the Latino culture, illness is an imbalance. Korean culture views health as a harmony between the forces of yin and yang. In both cultures, an example of the contrasts is hot and cold temperatures in the body. Another similarity is treatment. Members of the Latino culture take part in herbal remedies. In the Korean culture, many patients seek care from herbal doctors. It was also stated that in the Korean culture, western medicine is believed to be too strong and the patient can’t halt their own treatment or decrease their dosage. Differences: In the Latino culture, many patients believe that God determines the outcome of an illness, while in Korean culture illness is seen as a part of life in which negative symptoms are a result of karma. When it comes to mental illness, in Latino culture it is seen as a weakness and embarrassment. In Korean culture, it is stigmatized and threatening. When ill, a Latino patient is seen as an innocent victim and can act passively. In Korean culture, physical complaints are accepted and the patient may talk about the symptom to relieve symptoms. 2) What are some of the similarities and/or differences between the two cultures that you chose and how medical decisions are made? Similarities: In both Latino and Korean cultures, the family spokesperson is the oldest male. The family is also an important emotional support for both these cultures. In the Latino culture, the family would prefer to hear about bad medical news before the patient is informed. In Korean culture, bad medical news is hidden from the patient as the family believes the patient is not in good condition to make decisions. Differences: It is interesting that in the Latino culture, the mother determines when a family member needs medical care, even though the family spokesperson is the oldest male. There does seem to be more flexibility within the Latino culture as to if the patient gets to make the decision and who else can make that decision with them whereas in the Korean culture the patient does not have a say a majority of the time. 3) What are some of the similarities and/or differences between the two cultures that you chose and their cultural norms about touch? Similarities: In both cultures, eye contact with health care professionals is not expected. Modesty among females is also common in these two cultures- having a female provider is preferred. Differences: Though eye contact is not expected, for Latino culture in specific, eye contact is related to evil spirits, and avoiding it is a sign of respect. Showing acknowledgment to others in the Korean culture is by giving a gentle bow, and handshakes (between men). In the Latino culture, when the patient nods his/her head it signifies that they are listening to the physician. Silence is a sign of disagreement or misunderstanding. 4) How would you compare these two cultures to your own cultural practices when it comes to how illness is dealt with, how medical decisions are made, and cultural norms about touch? I come from a Bengali background, and I see some similarities with both cultures. However, being raised in the US there are some differences between some of my behaviors and the behaviors among those who live in Bangladesh. In dealing with illness, there are certain herbal and homemade remedies that Bengali people use and Bengalis do have a strong belief in God similar to the Latino culture. In medical decisions, the head of the household also makes major decisions for family members, but this may be different when it comes to issues regarding a female member which is when a female head of the family is more involved. In culture norms about touch, similar to Latino and Korean cultures, there is modesty among girls and women and a female provider is preferred. Eye contact isn’t common and expected, but not for reasons related to evil spirits. Greetings are very common among everyone, and handshakes are common between men. Similar to the Latino culture, patient nodding signifies he/she is listening while silence is a sign of disagreement or misunderstanding. Reference: Culture Clues. (n.d.). Culture CluesTM. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from http://depts.washington.edu/pfes/CultureClues.htm
