Reference no: EM132152929

Question - Read each student response to the question Is it immoral or insensitive to set evidence-based medical practice over other cultural medical beliefs?

Fadiman compares the Hmong to a visual perception puzzle (p.237). Do you agree or disagree with her metaphor? Explain your reasoning.

You will refer to the resources provided and properly analyze and respond back to each student on their views and use references to back your statement. 175-word response APA format.

1. G. CHISON

Hello Everyone

I struggled with this question. I kept going back and forth after reading Chapters 15 to 17. Thinking about the question our professor has asked of us I would have to say no. There is nothing immoral or even insensitive when you are trying to save a life. Evidence based medical practice stands out over all cultural beliefs. It is so hard convincing those that really don''t understand western medicine. Looking at a visual perception puzzle as defined in the book is like looking at a glass that is half empty wanting it to be full. There is so much information as to why The Hmong''s came to Merced California based on the fact that someone they respected informed them that it would be like they never experienced before. Jobs, education, homes money they would live happy. That was not the case. Listening to someone who can define to you the pot of gold is different than looking at a glass that is half empty as opposed to being full. You can only see the good in what the person said and you long for that so the defining of the perception that Fadiman stated in Chapter 16 can totally understand. Looking and listening to something that you want to happen so bad can cause you to think another way. If you have ever been in a situation that you dreamed that it would be okay knowing in your heart that it would be not. I picture The families thinking that what they were told would enable them to have a good life not only for themselves but their loved ones as well.

2. A. kovacik

Is it immoral or insensitive to set evidence-based medical practice over other cultural medical beliefs?

In evidence-based medicine one has to be thorough, be very clear and transparent, and using good judgment in decision making. As much as I want to say it is insensitive, I must look at it from a health professional point of view. We can play with patients' lives, especially when dealing with life or death situation. I will have to say that evidence-based medical takes precedent over cultural medical beliefs.

Fadiman compares the Hmong to a visual perception puzzle (p.237). Do you agree or disagree with her metaphor? Explain your reasoning.

I agree with Fadiman because the more others tried to help the Hmongs understand how things work here, the more difficult the situation became. They had so many obstacles against them. Too many layers to peel. I don't think Fadiman was trying to misrepresent them but at the same time she wanted paint a clear picture of their culture and the struggles they faced while trying to maintain their culture.

Fadiman, Anne, 1953-. (1998). The spirit catches you and you fall down : a Hmong child, her American doctors, and the collision of two cultures. New York :Farrar, Straus and Giroux,

3. M. Echarria

Is it immoral or insensitive to set evidence-based medical practice over other cultural medical beliefs?

This is a very interesting and complex topic, everything will depend on the crystal in which you look. In my opinion, it is not immoral, but it can be perceived as insensitive, just as for us other cultures are insensitive to us in many aspects. The health system must establish guidelines that preserve the humane treatment of the patient but also help to take care of the health of the patients. It is impossible to please everyone, therefore I believe that if for a cultural reason a patient does not agree with a certain procedure he has the right to sign a refusal consent that protects both parties.

Fadiman compares the Hmong to a visual perception puzzle (p.237). Do you agree or disagree with her metaphor? Explain your reasoning. I agree with Fadiman''s opinion regarding the Hmong family, it is impossible to explain what is not known above all culturally, often even the Hmong were defined as folkloric, due to the constant search for spiritual explanations. You cannot understand the situation from your own point of view considering that they have a very different one that equally deserves respect, but how to explain to a family that does not know what is being talked about, there is the complexity of the matter, for this It is necessary that someone be able to understand and respect cultures.

Resource: Ch. 15 to 17 of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.